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■■*.

THE

Life and Adventures

OF

MArrHEW BISHOP

OP

Dedpinotok in Oocfordjhin.

Containing an Account of feveral Adions by
Sea, Battles and Sieges by Land, in which he
was prefent from 1701 to tyii, interfperfed
with many curious Incidents, entertaining
Conver£itions and judicious Reflections*

»*m-mm,ua,^mmm^mmm*t*m

II II niiiM|di«

Written by.HiMsELif*

••i**«at«ia^M

■iiBriUi<MMiriWMaMtai*toMiHMaMai«HMMita>MMMM«Hk

. L 0 N D 0 Ni

Printed for J. Brxm&lev in Niw ^md'$treti\ G. Maw*
KINS in FUit'Strttti R. Dodsley in Pail-Mail'^ and
J. MiLLAN oppofitc to th« AdmrtHtyrOffict* 174^^

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T O T H E

Right Honortable

«

THE

Earl of STAIR,

Field Marfhal andComnmc!er in Chici^

of his Majedy's Forces in JSoutb Britain^

This NARRATIVE

of his Life and Advxmturss
is humbly infcrib'd
by his Lordship's

moil dutiful humble Servant,

Matthew Biftiop.

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PUBLISHER

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1l E A D E R.

vuiX'ti^'

• \- -s

iTf^HE Authors of Lives and Advehturci
^efatfy write frtm a Vim to Traifi^

1

and with a fixed Refohttion to gain if at my
E^nce. Ihis it happens that a FondhH t9
Jet off their own CharaSiers to the be ft Mdlu^
tage^ andfirong Defire to delight and captivate
the Reader ^ make them have Recourfe to Ad'
ventures realty furprijing^ hut merely fi^itious^
At leaft their Narrations are fo larded with
Jalfe Circumftances, that Truth, fo Jhaded fy
it's Contrary f can fcarce be diftingmfied.

1/

1^

*!

H

vi The Publiflicf^ to the Readen

V If their Veracity could be depended on in o^
tber RefpeBSf yet their own Condu&isfo Kttk
dife&ive^ that what they fay ofthemfelves can
never be fwallowed by any^ but the voer^cre-
dulous and ignorant Oafs of Readers, who be^
lieve in Heroes who never exijled, and whofe
Achievements can never be equalled, \

" But the Motive of many Writers of Memoirs
is very different, nor do they aim at abufing
the Credulity of Mankind, ^heirfile Vim is
to b^ ofU/e to them, by a flriSi Adherence to
T'ruth, and an impartial Narration of their
bad as well as good ASlions: Hat while the
latter es^cites the Emulation of others, the fatal
Confequences of the former may both caution
find deter them from following in the fantf
Track. V

- ^^*■

' ■ . ■ ' ■■• -V

^ In this Clafs I would rank oitr Author, and
hope that the Reader, by perufmg this Narra-
tion of hi i Life and Adventures, would be edi^'
fed at the fame time that he is entertained.

The Period, in which he appeared on the
aSiive Stage of Life, is ftillfo frefh in the Me--

Tb?, Fubliflier to the Reader, vii

nutry of many^ ncbo bore their Part in it\ -4nd
the grand Events it produced fo ihterefiing^,
that few now living can be fuppofed unquali^
fed to expofe any Mifreprefentation of theprittm
cipalFa0s mentioned in his Story, had hie ven^
turedjofalfify them.

>T n)\^y '\\

A Man of Honour fcorns to impofe on the
Public f and our Author feems to relate nothing
but Incidents, wherein he was either an ABor or
anEye^witnefs; and, without Partiality in his
own Favour, }!xhibits both the Good and Bad of
his own ConduSi,

'\'h

Though it can't be expedled that a Per*
formance of this kind, from one in his Sphere,
can merit the Efieem due to a complete Hiftory
of that interefling Period, yet it is^io be hoped
it will be allowed ifs Share, if not for theAu*
thor's fake, yet for the fake of particular il^
lujlrious CharaSicrs he attempts to dojuftice
to. At leafl this may obtain him Forgivenefs
for any Want of Method Qr Di5lion, for which
he may be blamed.

His

-^'

i^

Vili The Publiflicf to the ReadiA

His Intention is to iaue an unbiafftd r/-
gard to ftrathy and bis Hopes are thai bii
franjj^rejit^s in Stile iviii be fufficiemly com-^
penfaied thereby ^ together with the Variety
tf Incidents that occur within the fmall Com"
pafs of his Work : that while his Anions ex*
cite Emulation, and his RefeSiions injpire a
true Veneration Jor the Author and Preferver
tf alt things', the many diverting Con^oerfa*
fionsy interjperfed throughout the whole, will be
htk edifying and entertaining. '"^

'i ,V

It*'-^ \/i , "- ;''-'jii"i

'''■■■0r M-'^:''^' '''

THE

V .

THE

CONTENTS.

CHAP. I.

n/^HE Authdr leanjes Oxfordfliire and goes

^ into Kent: His ftrong Inclinations to go to

Sea: Enters on Board the Swift Snow,

/ Page I

C H A P. n.

'ihe Author fails on Board the Swift Snow to join
the Fleet, The Defcent on Cadiz : Vigo taken :
fieturns to Portfmouth. 6

..A

^^? c H A P. in

Vhey leave Portfmouth, and chdce a Ship into
Breft : Sail to Tangier : Hhe manner of the
Moots engaging : Return Home: Meet with

- a Storm, xc

chap; IV.

^hey join tie Fleet under Sir Cloudfley Shovel,
^ and fail to Gibraltar : Tlje Taking of Gibral-
tar : They engage theFrcDoh. in /;&^ Mediterra-
nean, and defeat them : They fail to Lifbon.

C H A P. V.

The Spaniards hefiege Gibraltar : The Author fails

\ thither and is employed in the Defence of the

Town : They carry their Prifoners to Lilbon :

; Hearing the French Fleet were at Gibraltar,

they pur fue them and take fome Ships, 25

a CHAP.

11

H; .

i:

q O NT E NTS.*

l^V.^^ CHAP. VI.
iity go on a Cruife : Contrary Winds oblige them
^ to half Allowance : Tfyir Provifions aknafi

I ff ent, tbey arrive at Liibon. 32

CHAP. VII.

li^ go on a Cruife and meet with a Storm :■ ^tic
Author goes on board ^he Fox Man of War :
Tbey go on a Cruife to the Bay of Biicay and
tbeTttnch Coaji^ and from thence to Ireland
to get more Men, 47

;' C H A p. VIIL

ne Author leaves the Sea Service : Marries a
Wife: Settles his Family Affair s^ and refohes
to try the Land Service, . ' .81

' CHAR IX.

TJf Author lifts in the Land Service: HisSuC"
cefs in Recruiting: Lands at Helvoet Sluice ;
Goes to Ghent and Autredam; Remarkable
Incidents at Soth thefe Places, 120

CHAP. X.

^e Author leaves Autfedam, and marches to
BrufTcls: l!he manner of his being taken Pri-
foner by ri&^ French and his Efcape from them.

147
C H A P. XL

Account of the battle of Oudenarde j and offorC"
ing the French Lines by the Duke of Argyle :

ihe

- *^

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e them
3«

War:
ly and
[reland

47

-^ '^

refihes

-»'

is Sue-
>luice :

IZQ

ches to
Pri'
tbtfii*

\forC'

ne Author goes into garters with an ac»
count of their Oecono&iy in the Barracks i £«-?
comiums on the good ConduSl of the Generah
of the Allies : End of the Campaign in 1767.*

ISO
CHAR XIL

ne Authors Letter to his Wife in 1708: JB/w-
barks for England: Meets with a violent
Storm: RefleSlion on the Princitle rf true
Courage: Returns to Ghent: laies the FieU.
Advice to Officers nOt to defraud private Men
of what is their Due. 172

CHAP. XIIL

March fromG]ieTit towards Liflc: Ahoisfortifed:
Stratagem of Prince Eugene'x: The Siege of
Lifle: The Defeat of 2/^000 French tf/ Win-
cndaleiyGeneralWehb: Ghent retaken from
the French. iSz

CHAP. XIV.

Begins the Campaign in 1709 : Tournay taken by
the Allies: iS'/r Richard Tem^Xds Behaviour
there: Battle £^ Malplaquet: ^betaking of
Mons. ( 200

' \ ■ • ■ ■ '

C H A P. XV.

^e Siege of DowBy in 1710: Bouchain taken:
St. Vcnant and Aire befieged: Remarkable In-
cidents before the latter: Manner of living in
the Trenches. 219

■ CHAP.

^ .

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go rJ T E N Tg.

5^t» >;.*i'^'

chap: XVI.

V-T*C

jTfo JiufBr's D^e to go on the Ms^edition fo

„ Canada: Arrives m Npw England: In&n

* ' King VI fits their Camp near Bonon : In great

Danger at Sea: IJJue of the Attempt on Quc-

\isx^\ "Returns to England: Edgar Man of

War hlikoh up: Goes into Winter garters at

, Shrfevi^fbury.

i i^

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■J •»+> ^ « * ^«

CHAP. XVII.

JfZ^ Author*s Defire to l>e employed again: Jits

Account of the Behaviour of bis prefent Ma-

jejly in the late U^ar in Flanders : Embarks

jforPunkirjc: Mutiny there: Tie Author re^

turns to En^and, and is ^/cbarged^.^^^ , 257

X

1 1 >^<

Cli AP. XVHL w>!i!^

^he Author finds his Wife married to finother
Hujband: Her fudden Death and Epitaph :

._ . 266

/jmyoi :ooti. ^^'i

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THE

Life and Adventures ^

OF

.h

MjrrHEW BISHOPI

"1

u

*

C H A p. X :^

T^e Author leaves Oxford (hire andgoet^

into Kent : hhjirong Inclination tog&

I to Sea : enters on Board the SmdSnow.

IN the Year 1701 I left the Place of my
Nativity^ Deddington in Oxfordjhire^ and
went to Canterbury in Kent, where I lived
fome time at a Relation's Houie at the
Sign of the TAree Kings. During my Stay here
his Majefty, King William the Third, came
through the Town to go to Holland, t gar^
thered all the Flowers out of our own Garden
and^feveral more, to adorn the high Street as
he came along ; and, with fome others, ran by
the Side of his Cbach from Coiiege lard, almoA

BtWo

. ;

'!

2 Tie Life And Adventures ' ^

two Miles, huzzaing and crying God blefi King
William 1 'till his Majeily put his Hand upon
the Glafs, and looking upon us iaid, it is enough.
Upon this we deiifted, and I returned home, but
could not be eafy in my Mind.

Being of a rambling Difpofition, I went to
vifit. a diftaat Relation^ onb Mr. Davill of Trmly
Pafk^ ^hb Wafe tery i^d tt> fee me, 4nd de-
fired I would ftay with him fome Time. For,
as he had a great many Hands employed, he
would take it as a Favour if I would afliil him
byov^rfeeing his Workmen. I^omplied and
itaid with him about ten Days; but grew very
uneafy, having a ftrong Defire to go to Sea. I
then bethought myfelf of going to Mr. Bich
of Fordige^ two Miles from Canterbury y to try
whether he would give me any Encoursgement,
as he knew all my Friends and Rektbns. But
be begged me not. to think of any fuch Thing,
and to return hom^ immediately. His per-
fuafions Were dl iDeffedtual, and at length I
prevailed on him to let me go along with his
Men to Sandwich^ «i ok^x to try how Ac
Water ^ouM ^ree with me. I liked it di-
trehiefy, ahd wa^ for goiihg agaif), but he Would
n6t Mfer fefe; faying, tf I^teafed I might go
iiftd his (!^omj>tif)^^Houfe and aflift his Clerlsi
Which accofdihgly I &iA and continued with
hinli kbottt a Fbrthfeht. The Thoughts i^ \ht
Sek ftlH mi fo miicS in my Mind, that Jt r^-
derdd me uhfit for any other than that Pro-

^ . ^ I thought

'IL

^ Matthew Bishop. $

I thought it would be ungrateful in i»e, not
to takie leave of all my Relations in that Part.
Wherefore I went to ap Aunjt's Hoqie a^ i^ye^
and knparted to her my fished Refolution. Have
ym. a Mind, {sLy$ ihe, to break your Friends
Hearts? Pray da not think of any fucb thing*,
for it will be ymr utter DeftruStion, if you go
mthout advifng with your Father about it, I
told her I was abfo^utely determined at aU £•
vent<: and let the Confequence be what it would.
She replied, Jhe was very firry I did nof think
offomething better y as my Friends bad been at Jh
much Trouble in giving me Education and a Trad^
forfimeEnd: therefore, Jhe thought, IJhouldnot
oB the honorabk Wart by them^ iflperfified in,
going, Thefe daily Checks to my loclinadon
made me quite weary of her Company i kt -I
told her I purpo&d to go to fee my llncle^ to
have bis Approbation before I went By aU
means, fays (he, and I hofe he will turn your
Heart from this H^ay of thinking. So I took
my Leave, begging ^e would be fo kind as tq
drink my Health fometimes, for I intended to
go plough the Main. I then made the beft of
my Way to ad«& with my Uncle at Harris
fin. But by his declaring againft any Thing
of the Kind, and that he would by no Means
in Life be induced to approve qf it, (far if
any TUng JhmM bMen to me, he Jkmdd never
forgive bimfeif) I Jound it was not agreeable
News to him and be was of my Aunt's Opi-
nion. Therefore I dropt that Difcourfe, and
talked of fomewhat which I imagined would

B 2 be

■K,!

4 Tie Life and Adventures

be agreeable to him. It was chiefly of his Cattle,
and his Lands. I frequently rode out with him
in a Morning to look at his Stock. This, and
ibme Compliments I made him on his good
Management, pleafed him exceedingly. I di- .
verted him to fuch a Degree, that I found it a
difficult Matter to get away, but at laft I pre- .
Vailed, by promifing whenever I came that
Way to call on him and ftay fome Time, which
I could not conveniently do then.

We parted, and my Refolution was to go to
Chatham. When I came there I made it my
Buflnefs to enquire what Ships lay in the River
ready for failing, and was told of the Swift
Snow, formerly commanded by Captain Jumper
though then by Captain Wynn : 1 afked if (he
was mann'd? They told me (he had not her
Complement. In the mean time the Purfer
came up and afked me, If I wanted to Jpeak
with any one in the Dock f I told him I wanted
to fee fome Officer belonging to the Swift Snow,
for I intended to go on board her. Not as a
Sailor, fays he ? I replied it \yas my fixed Re-
folution to go in that Station. Then he defired
me to go along with him to Mr. Gregory the
Muftcr Maftcr, It was in February 170^ but
I have forgot what Day, I entered on board
the Swift Snow. I was as expeditious as I could
in getting my Bufinefs done ejffedhially, though
I was of^nded at the Perfon's telling me a Lie.
For he faid the Swift Snow was in the River,
and at the fame Time . (he was in the Dock.
In the mean time I was ordered on Board the
-' ^ u,. Prince/s

^ Matthew Bishop. 5

Princefs Anne Man of War, till the other came
out of the Dock. Here I had the Liberty of
going frequently alfhore in the Yawl, and one
Time, I think on the Sth of March, I heard
the News of the King's Death. Shocked to hear
of this fudden Change, I went and told my
Companions, and we hurried on Board to inform
the Officers of what we had heard. They went
on Shore diredly, and found it true j and when
they came on Board they told us Princeis Anne ,
was proclaimed Queen. This News fuggefted
feveral agreeable Refledions to me : I imagined
we (hould have a fmart War, and flattered my-
felf with the hope of making my Fortune in
cafe it (hould continue any confiderable Time.
But though I had Vanity enough to tliink I
might merit fomething advantageous to my*-
felf, and with that View waded through the
;^Wars, with the utmofl Care and.Induftry, I
was neverthelefs difappointed. Yet, I hope in
the Sequel the Reader will find I exerted my ut*
moft Efforts to fcrve my Queen and Country,
notwithftanding my Views of attaining Ho-
nours and Advantage to myfelf were not crown^
ed with Succefs. I (hall begin therefore with
the Incidents of the following Year, and relate
all my Adventures both by Sea and Land ; from
the Beginning to the End of the Wars. With
Regard to other Fads related, as haying a ne-
cefTary Connexion with the Narrative of my own
Life, the Reader may depend on the Truth of
them, as I (hall only mention what I was an
Pye-witnefs to. ^ '-

B 3 " CHAP.

6 75^ Life and Adventures ' >

GH A P. II. V

fife Jiuthor Jbils on Board the Swift Snow to
join the Fleet, Tihe Defient on Cadiz : Vigo
taken: Returns to Portrmomh.

IN 1702 I was in tht Svftfi Snow, Oaptiuh
PTynn Commander^ and we lay at Black
Stakes when War with Prance was proclakned
on board our ^ip. From thence virt Went to

' the ^oy at Nower^ where fome General Offi-
^cers came on board, and we carried them to
Hehoet Sluice m Holland : From thence we
'failed to ikit Downs : Then we were ordered to
Spitheady to jo«i Sir George Rook, who lay there
"with three Squadrons of Men of War. We
■were in Sir Stafford Fairborn*s Sqdadron, and
fail'd to make a Defcent on the Sfanijh Coaft,
•Qur firft Place of anchoring was in the Bay of

'Bullsy where Sir Stafford came on board our
^hip, and we weign'd and went farther in.
Then Colonel Bur went in the Barge, with
a white Flag, to Cadiz, btlt did not ftay above
two Hours. Our Eyes were continually fixed
on him to fee him land, and when he had
landed we carefully obferved his Return to the
Boat. He made for our Ship and came on board.
The nejct Day a Signal was given to the Spa-*
niardsy who were very bufy at work between

^:Rota and St. Catharine's Cajile, The Intention
of it was to eredl a Battery ; but we, perceiv-
ing what they were about, foon prevented them.
They are very ingenious at making FafcineBat-

.. ^ tcries j

^f Matthew Bishop, ^

CBties ; but wc were too briik for th^m. For
hoifting fail v)re lay i^Iong $hprf, (ifi4 kuX
them Word by the Mouth of a Q^npon to (i«r
fifl from that laborious Emplpyateoit ; ^nd they
vtfcre glad to leave k» when the Doi^ wa^ fly^
ing about their Ears. It created a great de«»i lof
Mirth in us, to iee bow th^ey ran, fotne one
way, and ibme another. The WorJ^ yt%% puFcir
with them, bpt ours was to b^in, as you O^att
hear.

We landed oiir Forpe^ about half a Mile
from Rota^ and ihe $pamnrds came down tp
oppofe US; but they went off a^n whep ;^
Shot bc^n to fly about their Ears. Tbea our
Aimy marched to Bota withoul any Obftiruc-
tioD. Rota lies upon a De(ce^, and is a Place
of but little Strength on the I^nd-iide wh^re
our Army incamped. The Day that the hxrxfj
wais to march there. Orders were given to fe^d
fome Seamen Qn Shore •, fo pur Captain came
upon Uie Qoarter-Deck, and 9)11 the Men being
caird up, he aiked who was willing to go on
Shore to ferve as Pioneers s for here, fays he»
are Orders for twenty Men. Let thofe that
are wiping come and give their Najmes to the
Steward. I went up and f^d Matthew Bifhop^
then we received our Allowance for two Day^,
went into the Boat and landed at Rota^ where
lay a Cannon which was difmounted. We look-
led on it, and took notice of it's being a very
iong one: and for Curioitty-fake Ilaidmyfelf
upon it with my Anns extended, and it was
almoft three Fathom long. Then v. t^ went to

B 4 the

8 Tie Life and Adventurer

the Town and waited till Evening, when the
Army began their March. But one Thing we
could not refrain our Eyes from, which was the
Spaniard^ who drove the Duke*s Baggage \ he
had a Spado by his Side, and his Hair was tied
behind with a Lift the fame whichTaylorscuteff
Cloth. That Morning the Sun ihone very hot,
and marching through the Vineyard we eat fome
Grapcsf, which made us very dry > and the Scar-
city of Water enhanced it's Value. I heard a
siCrown bid for a Draught or a Quart. I re-
member we came to a little Pool, and ^ere in
'great Raptures at the Sight of it. But there was
10 little Water in it, that we took particular care
to avoid railing the Mud at the Bottom of it, and
'we thought it at that Time as fwcet as Sack.
''The Soldiers, fccirig us drinking, came with fuch
Eagcrnefs, that hey ran into the Water and
'drank toExcefs ; irnd after they had filled their
'Bellies, filled their Canteens : I believe it was
half Mud, but they faid like us, it was as fweet
as Sack; We had taken leave of this Pool but
a little while before the Spanijh Forces appear-
ed ; then our Army began to form and march
in grand Divifions. I mufl own our Generals
led on brifkly s and when we came within half
a Mile of the Enemy they fled, fo we faw them
no more. Then we Pioneers were ordered to
go to St, Catharine's Caflky but we were preced-
ed by a Summons, upon which it furrendred.
Then we went towards St. Mary\, The Army
had then halted. We were very defirous to know
what the Town would afford. It was a Place

^Matthew Bishop. 9

of but little Strength; foi; there was a Road
went ftraight into the Street of the Town, upon
which we had our £yes continually fixed. At
laft my Refolution ,was to enter the Town ; fo
I went with my Comrades, and we took with us
Shovels, Cutlafles and Piftols, in order to de-
fend ourfelves in cafe of an Aflault. Into the
Town we went as bold as Lions, and began to
tafte their Wines. My Comrade and I went
upon the Top of one of their Houfes (I remem-
ber it was paved with Tiles) and look'd about
us, when all of a fudden, to our great Surprize,
the Pioneers began to run. Wedidnotafk what
was the matter ; but I thought it beft to make
to the Company. Here I founcl it was the Duke
of OrmofKk ^nd the Dutch GcnersA who liad
put them to the run. We were confcious to
ourfelves of having entered theTown before them
without Orders, and were afraid of being pu-
niflied. We faw themiall ride into the Town 5
but we endeavoured to fkreen ourfelves from
their Sight.' It was late before \ire had Orders to
go in; each Squadron, and each Ship's Com-
pany were by themfelves. We went into a
Houfe, with a Court at the back of it, and we
filled the Rooms with Men, for we were
obliged to lie Heads and Points, that there might
be room enough: We got what We 'could to
cover us and keep us from the Floor. In fearch-
ing we accidentally found a Room where there
were a great many Nets and old Sails lying up-
on the Ground. Amongft them I found two
very good Jackets, and underneath I felt fomq-

thing

I o TZtf Lift and jldventuns

thing bard tied up ciofe in t lineo Big, Mf
ComradoB iaw I had got fomething of Value,
for I could not conceal it from them. It^MH
tained fixty Pieces of Eight, and I gere a Fel-
low that was along with me five to uy nothinf
of it. But inftead of concealing he davulfsea
it. I pat fome in one Pocket and fome in 9S^*
other, fo that all my Pockets had fome;, and
when I had done laid myfelf down and had a
very iband Sleeps I leave the Reader to judee
whether my waking was agreeable: I had lai4
down with my Pockets full, but when I arofe
they were empty. This threw me into a w^ery
great Paflion, efpecially with him that laid
down with me and him that took my Bribe tp
keep my Prize a Secret. But when my Paffioo
fubfidea I became very penfive, and ierioully
reflected on the Deceit of Mankind. Before
this Accident I thought I could have confided in
and even ventured my Life in my Compankm's
Hands. But now I reiblved to hie very cautious
whom to tmft ioi the fiiture. As I could not
have believed, had I not found it verified by
Experience, that any Man could be fo great a
Rogue, fix>m that Time I formed the Refolution
of never being over and above intimate with
any one, but to keep them at a Difbuipe. A
fteadyObfervance of this gained me mone Friends
than ever.

After I was pacified, we went into dbe Town,

where we fiMind mofi; of the Houies abandoned

by the Inhabitants. CreatHavock was made

of every Thing, and we continued in the Town

#^ 1 ^ till

a/" Matthew Bishop. if

fifl we had Orders to go againil Point AlCafth.
As foon ^8 our Orders catne fft went tnd broke
Ground an a dark Night. We had worked but
a little while before we were difcovcred, by a
Sea Officer's going too nigh the Caflle which
he imanned to be at a greater Diftance from
him. A Sentinel challenged him, and upon his
making off fined; which gave a general Alarm.
Immediately we hod ail the fmall Shot from the
OtiUe and Cannon fnom the Galleons £red
upon us, which made the Duft fly about ocn:
Ears, and we were obliged to work for the
Prefervation of our Lives. We had not dug
above Knee deep when we were dtlbovered,
and the Guns from the Caftleand Ships batter-
ed our Works down, and fwept ofF our Men,
five or fix at a time^ by one Ball. Oar Com*
mander, feeing wc could do no good there,
thought proper to break up the Siege, and dl
the Forces got to Rata where they embai^ced.
"When we were out at Sea we learnt that the
Spaniards and French v^^re got iwto Vigo witfi
their Fleet: We thought proper to follow them
to fee what Preparations they had m»de ftfr our
Reception, and we found they had heard we
were out at Sea and in Purfult of them. So
they had contrived and laid a Boom quite acrofs
the Mouth of the Harbour. It was made as
ftrong as the Art of Man could de-v^ifc with
Cables, Haufers, Chains, Spars, Mails, Ropes,
all bound fail together in one compa(jk Body.

The Strength of this Boom did not difcou-
rage us, nor did we imagine k a Thing im-

pradicable

i

i

c

1 2 Tie Life and Adventures

pradlicabk to break it. Every Ship was in it's
Station, and brave Admiral Hopfon^ Vice Ad-
miral of the Red, was on Board the Torbay,
He was a wife and valiant Man, had a diflin^
and jud Apprehenfion of Things, and was ex-
tremely adive and intrepid in the Execution of
grand Enterprizes. He came full Sail againft
the Boom, broke it afunder and made room for
himfelf, and every Ship to fail io in it's Station.
The Enemy had a Fire-ftiip ready to welcome
us, which clapt our Admiral aboard as ibon as
he entered the Mouth of the Harbour. His
Sails were all in Flames in a Moment; but
fortunately the Fire {hip blew up fooner than
the Enemy intended, to our great Joy; and by
the Afiiilance of our Boats the Fire was foon ex-
tingui(hed. A Dutchman had the Honour to
fink the Fire-(hip's Boat which likewife occa-
lioned a great deal of Joy. When the French
and Spanijh Fleets perceived the Fire-fhip had
done little Execution, they were in the utmoft
Confufion and Conflernation. Some ran them-
felves on Shore, and others fet their Ships on
Fire with their Guns loaded. I took notice of
it to fome of the Officers and faid, " Gentlemen
" look hercy out of the middle of the Fire comet
" Fire" When the Fire reached the Powder
Rooms they blew up. Some Men of War we
endeavoured to fave, and fome Galleons, which
we intended to bring to England, I could not
avoid refledting on the Folly of Mankind, in
chufing rather to lay violent Hands on them-
fclves, than endeavour in their own Defence ;
-. and

^MatthewBishop 13

and in being driven to Defpair when they find
their Enemy fuperior in Numbers. Before we
left the Place the Soldiers facked the Town, and
the Sailors the Harbour, and every Thing being
effedually completed the Fleet fet ^il for
England. The very firft Day we were out at Sea
our Ship fpied two Sail, and gave Chace. Wc
came up with them a little before Night, fired
two or three Guns, and they flruck. Then
we took the Prifoners on Board and put them
in the Hold. The fame Night we loft our
Main-maft and Fore-maft, fo that we were
in a manner reduced to a Hulk. Next Morn-
ing we took our Booms and made Jury-mafts.
The French Officers and Sailors were very fer-
viceable in contriving them, and we had great
need of their Affiftance. As our Ship was very
much ftrained, fhe proved very leaky, fo that
at one Time we had four Feet Water in the
Well. Another accident had like to have ruin-
ed us. A Shot fell into our Well, fo that wc
could not work the Pump. This threw us all
into the utmoft Confternation ; for we expedted
every Moment to go to the Bottom. For fomc
time all our Endeavours to get it out proved in
vains at laft a Man, remarkable for long Arms,
pulled it out. This unexpeded Relief difpelled
our Fears, and our Joy was proportioned to our
former Defpair.

We flaggered along to Port/mouth, as well

as we could, conftantly plying our Pumps

Night and Day. When our ovsrn Crew were

tired with this Fatigue, we were obliged to

I . , make

14. Tie Life and Adventures '

make tfae Pfifoners help us, placing Sentinds
over tbeoQi wilh Plflols and CutLiTes for Fear
of tiaejcmiutmyiDg, for they were ottr fuperior
in Poinl of Numbers. We had a great many
lick Meo. Only two or three out of the twenty
Pioneers that went aihone with ooe, went out
next Year; fo their Service was at an end, hut
miac to come. Though this was but poorEn-
couragenaen* for a youtng Sailor, yet I was de-
termined to pcrfevere in running all Hazards.
I knowing myielf to he of an undaunted Cou-
rage, thought myfelf on that account a i^t Man
for that CaiUng : For inAead of a Fatigue I al-
ways thought it a Pleafure. While we lay at
Portjmmith I grew very impatient, for I wanted
to be employed in fome noble Exploit. I had a
cravii^ laclination with a flrong Defire, to
huxQlJc our Enemies, and bring down their
hi^ Spirits and lofty Looks. This f^ifled all
Tmaginatioz^ that might have come into my
Mind, Ixtd I not been fo well armed againil
them. Though there are Thoufands who arc
not, e^cially thofe whofe Weaknefs gets fo
much the better of their PaiHon, as to render
them un6t kn* doing their Country any Service,
their Refolution not being juAly inclinod to
fupport the Honour and Dignity of oucCrovncf
and Kingdom, efpecially at this critical Junc-
ture. Thefe were my Thoughts, which I could
not help divulging to moft of the Men ; ob-
fcrving the Wcightineis of the Concern, this was
my Method of proceeding till we fet fail. The
Men took h very kindJy, and it created fre{h
^rits in them. CHAP.

^Matthew Bishop. 15
CHAP. in.

^hy leave Portfmouth, and cbace a Ship into
Breft: Sail to Tangier: ^e manner of the
Moors engaging: Return Home: meet with
a Storm* . >*

IN 1703 wc left Port/mouth and came to
Anchor at Spitheady where we waited till
we had Orders to go a Cruiling. When we had
been out at Sea fome Time we f{Hed a Sail
and gave her Gbice. She hore away for the Coai):
of Brance and we made Sail after her as fad: as
we could. She flood away for Breft^ and wo
<ame op within a Gun's Shot of her and fired
a Chace Gun, but we fired too foon, for we
bft Way and (he gained; but we followed her
between the Land as hi as we could, till the
Fort fired. Then we thought it high time to
leave q& purfuing her, for it was impra^cabls
to %ht ^ainft Stone Walls. So out to Sea
again we went, and the next Day we fpied
another Sail from our Top-mafl Head, and in
a little Time fhe was vifible to all upon Deck:
She bore down towards us and we towards
them, for we faw that fhe had French Colours:
then down Chefls and up Hammocks, a clear
Ship and all necef&ry Preparations was made
ibv an Engagement. But we were difappointed,
fbr when we came within Gun Shot we pul}ed
down our French Colours and hoifkd Englijh
OiViA (he likewife, fb we found it to be the— -«
that had Orders to call u^ to join ^r Ckudjley

SboveL

i^

1 6 T^e Life and Adveniur§s

Skovel^ for he was out at Sea. Then Gentlemen,
(ays I, ** up Chcfts and down Hammock's," al-
though I loved to hear the Voice of a Cannon,'
as well as fome Men do the Sound of a Bell, and
always loved to be in Adtion. They were all
in good Spirits, and we failed merrily along to
join our Admiral.

The firft Place we anchored at was near
Tangier y on this Side the Streights Mouth:.
One Day, while we lay there the Tangier een
Horfe were at Exercife on the Sands, in
two Bodies about three Furlongs, as nigh as
I can guefs, diftant from each other ; and on a
fudden a little Party came from each Body and
rid very fait, till they niiet together, then they
fired and wheeled each to their Troops. It
was almofl like our Foot Exercife in taking a
Pafs, only they did not march in a Body, but de-
tached about Six from each Body and were like
the HuJJars for Swiftnefs. We weighed Anchor
and went through the Streights IVlouth. Capt,
Jumper was then in the Lenox. The Duke's
Men never had been through, fo thofe that had
propofed the others (hould pay a Bottle. There
IS no Obligation for it, only the Sailors make
thefe iimple Bargains amongd themfelves,
which often caufes great Diflurbances. The
Officers fpoke to our Captain about it, and I
was glad to hear him fay, he thought it be-
neath a Gentlemen to give into thofe foolifh
Things. And they found by this that the Cap-
tain would not comply with them. We failed
on and came to Anchor in ^//r^ Bay and. land-

. _ cd

^ Matthew fiisHop* 17

fed the Marines, they flayed on Shore bat ^
little while, before they came on Board again
and were to go to Leghorn in Italyi Then
Capt. Jumper and the other Ships went from us
to Smyrna. We had Cruizcrs out but no VefTels
appeared ; and we faid amongft ourfelves, that
we had fwcpt the Sea clean* We had Reafon
enough to fay fo, for it was a long while iince
we had the Pleafure of fainting one, as for my
part I began to defpair of feeing another* I
longed to be in Adtion, for my Nature was
fuch that without it my Spirits fell; but
when employed or engaged, it awoke thofe
Spirits that were afleep, and inftead of being
caft down as Thoufands are, they rofe to fuch
a Degree as to be equal to any. I thank God
my Spirits never failed me, elpecially when
there was any Thing to be done cither by En-
gagement or Diftrefs of Weather. When we
came back from Italy ^ we had bad Weather^
and our Fleet was feparate(J in theGulfof£yr?.vj)
the Hampton Court was miffing for fome Time,
and we thought f}^ was loft in the Storm ; but
it was not fo bad as we imagined, for (he ap-
peared at laft to the great Joy of our Fleet* Wd
came through the Streights and caft our Eyes
on "Gibraltar^ but little thought that we fhould
be ftationcd there the next Year.

We cruized for fome Time between ^allc^
andC^Jiz, and then wenttoZ//^^?/;; where we
lay at Anchor when the great Storm hap-*
pened, with our Yards and Top-mafts flruck
and our Haufers out, for we expe<^ed to drivd

C from

111'

18 Tl^e Life and Adventures ■ \i

from our Anchors every Moment. We conti-
nued there till Chriftmas^ when We failed for
England', and when we came within fight of
Land we did not know it. Some faid it was
Plymouth Sounds others the Ram head^ and o-
thers would afk where is the Edyftonet But
when we came near we found it was fo, and
we put into Hamouze, Here we learnt that
we had loft a great many Men of War, and
that the Edyftone was blown down in the late
Storm. We made our Chrijimas Dinner on frefli
Beef, and Plumb Porridge j and diverted our-
felves with obferving that we had eaten two
Chrijimas Dinners in one Year : For as I ob-
ferved before we had eaten one at Lijhon, We
put to Sea again and fteered Eaftward, and was
in Company with the Chatham Man of War.
That Night the Wind blew dreadfully, and we
bad our long Boat hoifted upon our Larboard
fide, which caufed us to run to Leeward. We
cut away againft the Ijle of White ^ and had ex-
treme hard Work to weather Dunnoje though
we did weather it. We wer^ obliged to moor
Ship, and for three Days the Wind blew defpe-
rately ; and by the Violence of the Wind and
Afliftance of our Oars, we got out of that de-
plorable Condition: But we were continually
grabling over board for fear we fliould drive.
Though we had the good Fortune to p:et off
clear, there was a Grcecian that was lofl at the
, Head of the Downs ; and a Dutchnan was
drove on the Goodwin Sands: But as good For-
tune would have it the Wind fliifted and (he

--<<!- <^' , ■-■-''''■ --^ got

a

a:j' d

o/M

ATtHEW

Bisk

0?i

i9

got off, though it was by the Providence of
God rather than the Ailiftancc of Man, and
they would have been utterly demolifhed had
it not been through his Help. We con-
tinued in the Downs till there was a fine foft
Wind, then we came round to Chatham, and
waited there till farther Commands^

CHAP. IV.

They join the Fleet under Sir Cloudfley Shovel^
and fail to Gibraltar: The Taking of G\hr2^''
tcr: They engage ^^f French in the Mediterra-
nean, and defeat them : They fail to Lilbonj

IN 1704 we left Chatham, and made thd
beft of our Way to the Downs 5 vi^here wd
lay till we received our Orders, and then we
fleered for St, Hellens, and from thence to
Torbay, where we joined the Fleet that Sic
Cloudjley Shovel commanded for Sir George Rooke
was gone before with his "^leet, and the Duk^
of Aujlria in it. When our Fleet was got to-
gether we fet Sail for the Streights, and met
Sir George Rooke with his Fleet on this Mc tha
Streights Mouth. We joined him and failed a
little way up, and then returned and failed into
Gibraltar Bay. Then there was a Council of
War held; and when they had determined
what to do, they landed the Marines and the
Prince of Hejje with them* Which being done
the Boats returned to their Ships, and fifteen
Sail were ordered to lye ag^iinft the Tovvui, un

If::!

20 lie Life and Adventures

der the Command of Admiral Bing, Every
Ship was in it's Station in a ftreight Line, ready
for Command. The Prince of Hejfe fent in his
Summons for the Town to Ijirrender, which
they refufing, our fifteen Sail poured in their
Shot to fuch a Degree as made the Houfes fliake,
and I believe their Hearts quaked as much as the
Houfes (haked. We made ourfelves Mafter of
the new Mole, and they thought fit to furren-
der } which done every Ship went and anchor-
ed in it's Squadron. I could not help pleafing
myfelf with what we had done, and one of the
Otiicers afked me what m^de me fo merry ? I
replied, Sir, I don't doubt but that we (hall com-
plete every Thing we undertake. Well, faid
he, I am glad to fee you in fuch good Spirits,
and wi(h they may continue. Sir, replied I,
I don't queftion but they will, for I am under
no Apprehenfions. ' I am glad, fays he, that
we have got fuch a hardy Man amongft us that
Nothing will daunt him. In a little Time we
weighed Anchor and failed up the Str eights,

and feme of our Ships went ioT- in Barbary

to water. In the mean Time there were fome
of the Fref2cb Fleet in View; the reft of our
Fleet efpied them, and the Reftoration came to
call us as we were watering, with her Top-Gal-
lant-Sheet flying J they told us by a fpeaking
Trumpet that the French Fleet was iji View.
, Then we weighed as faft as poflible, flung our
Yards, down Chefts, up Hammocks, and every
Ship in it's Station, for there was a Signal for
the Line.
. . 2 I^ext

/*^

o/* Matthew BiSHop. 21

Next Day Admiral Lr^^' led the Van wl
his blue Flag at the fore top Maft-head. We
were about fifty Sail of the Line of Battle; it
was a beautiful Line, and would have cheated
the Heart of any who loved their Queen and
Country to have feen it. And the French were
as beautiful. We failed in the Morninfi: till
within Gun Shot, looking at each other. When
Admiral Leak got. up to their Van, Sir George
Rooke fired a Gun, for every Man to be at his
Poft. Then at it we went, loading and firing
as quick as poflible. We were clofely engaged,
and for my Part I loaded twelve Times the
eleventh Gun, in fleering on the Starboard
Quarter. And would have loaded more, had
nof I been prevented, by a Cannon Ball which
cut our Powder Boy almcft in two, and I
thought it had taken my Arm oflf: For it took
a Piece of my Shirt Sleeve, which caufed my
Arm, in a Moment, to fwell as big as my
Thigh. I v^ent down to the Dodor and he
put a red Plaifter to it, and would have had
me to have ftaid below j but I faid I would go
up and fee how my Comrades fped, and do all
I could as long as I had Hand or Leg to fup-
port myfelf. When I came np I found four
of thofe I had left killed, and another wounded,
I faid to him that was wounded, I am forry^
for your bad Succefs in this Quarter of an Hour's
time. He fliook his Head laying, I wilh you
better Succefs in all your Undertakin

gs

a dead Man. Then I went to work, and as I
could ufe my right Hand, my Bufinefs v/as to

C 3 - ftop

u

2 2 72^ Life and Adventures

ftop the Touchholc whilft the other fpunged
it.

I continued in high Spirits, having no Appre-
henfion of Danger, for when I came to be
warm at it, it drowned all weak Imaginations ;
and I fpirited up thofe that were faint hearted
when they faw our Ship like a Slaughter Houfc
and they wallowing in Gore Blood. Though
I have fince thought that it made a very (hock-
ing Appearance, for we were very much (hat-^
tered, which was vifible to all the Fleet. Sir
Ciozidjley fent a Lieutenant, who when he be-
held us, gave us his Voice with a fpeaking
Trumpet, for to tow out of the Line, Our
Captain's Spirit was too great for that, fo he
anfwered, that he would not ftir out of the
Line as long as his Ship would fwim. Thou-
fands would have been glad of fuch an Opportu-
nity of getting out of Danger; b';t our Courage
overcame our Fear, though we were much
damaged : For they (hot our Main and Fore*
top Mafl by the Board ; and alfo fplintered our
M^in-Maft, ourFore-Maft, and our Boltfprit
?ind Mizzen, befides killing a great Number of
Men, which, as I obferved before, made our
jShip like a Slaughter Houfe,

I leave the Reader to judge whether we were
much difiiblcd or not; for we belonged to Sir
Qloudjlef^ Squadron, and he ordered the Tartar
fijik to lye pretty nigh us. By that we found
they were in great Torture for us; and they
expeded, every Moment, that we fhould be
fw^Uowed up. I muft acknowledge Sir Cdondjlef^

. g T^nderncTa

^Matthew Bishop. 23

Tendernefs was very great, in fending a Ship
for our Safe-guard to take us in in cafe of the
Ship's finking, which every one expected to be
our Fate; Notwithftanding we were fo much
difabled we continued fighting as long as any,
which was from Ten in the Morning, till
Seven at Night; when the French thought pro-
per to (heer off for fear we ftiould make a greater
Slaughter amongft them. They were pretty
much (battered, and I believe in the general
more than us; which made them fick of the ,
Lay. So ended the braveft Engagment ever
known, lince the Memory of Man. All the
Officers behaved with Gayety, and their Adions
were gallant. The Sailors were very diligent
in obferving their Commands throughout the
whole Engagement.

When all was over, we went daggering on
in Order to get to Lijbm^ to repair our Ship j
for it was in a horrible Condition. As we were
fleering along, an Officer aflced me, whether
I was not the Man that was merry after the
t\king of Gibraltar f Yes, Sir, faid I, but you
are not the Gentleman that enquired why I was
fo merry. He told me that Gentleman was
killed in the Engagement. Sir, fays I, I am fen-
fible of it, and very much concerned for him.
He was a good Officer, much of a Gentleman,
and knew how to diilinguifli Mankind. Chear
up yonr Spirits, and do not let your Courage be
cafl down, replied he, behave well and you
will be well ufed. Sir, faid I, as to my Cou-
rage in regard to my Duty it was never dampt.

C4

but

t'i

I' I

i^if. Thij Life and Adventures

but i am ftili in Concern for fo good an Officer
us he was. Though he is dead, yet, faid he,
Tvhile I live you (hall want nothing that I can
help yqu to. I thanked him for his Civilities^
and he told me, he (hould always refped mo
for his Sake. Thus we parted, and I was very
well pleafed to have fo much Confabulation
with one that might be of Service to mc. We
had more Conferences than I can remember,
and he afked me whether in any Shape my
Spirits failed me in that bloody Engagement ?
My Anfwer was. No, Sir, I was fo intent on my
Duty to my Queen and Country, that it took
ofF all Fear or Dread that might poflibly have
hung upon my Spirits, for the Prefervation of
my own Life, had I not behaved vigoroufly. I
like you, Bijldop^ faid he, becaufe your Courage
exceeds all I ever faw. As for that. Sir, faid I,
you have feen my Behaviour,and I hope to con-
tinue in that Difpofition of Mind. I beg of God
that it may be durable ; for while it continue?
with me I (hall have Pleafure, but if it leaves
pie I fhall find nothing but Difficulties. This
Prefence of Mind made me regarded by Man-
Hind, and even the Officers liked to convcrfe
with me ; and the Sailors were always glad to
be in my Company. I always endeavoured to
preate Mirth where I was, and had fo many
pleafant Conferences, that made it an agreeable
Voyage to L^Jbon, We came to Lijbon and had
pur Ship repaired, for there were Orders for it to
be done with all the Expedition imaginable.
They W?n^ fibout it immediateljr, and a great
" i ' R^any

(j/' Matthew Bishop. 355

many Hands were employed, in different Shapes,
about it ; but they were a long Time before they
iiniihed, and made her complete and fit for an«
other Engagement,

CHAR V.

^e Spaniards ^^^^^ Gibraltar: The Author fails
thither and is employed in the Defence of the
Town : They carry their Prifoners to Lifbon :
Hearing the French Fleet were at Gibraltar,
they furfue them and takefome Ships,

BEFORE they had finiflied repairing our
Ship we heard the Spaniards had befieged
Gibraltar, We made what hafte we could and
fct Sail under the Command of Admiral Leah
The Morning we got thither, the Spaniards
were difcovercd that came up the back of the
Hill. Then there was a Command for Twenty
of our Men to go on {hore with fire Arms. I
was glad to hear that I was pitched upon for
one J and the Sailors, hearing that I was to go,
were all eager for going. They knew me to be
well verfed in the Aftair, as I had been upon
a like Expedition before. When the Officers
had determined who fhouW go on (liore, we
got into our Boat, and made all the hafte we
could: For we had them continually in our
Eyes. We were all in high Spirits and fit to
Ao Execution, not being at all daunted at their
Numbers ; for they were like Swarms of Bees
Vipoji thq Hill, and in great Confufion, and we

like

•X

I

f.,

I

til

26 72^ Life and Adventures

like Lbns in the Valley, ieeking whom we
might devour; as our Duty required. At it
we went, loading and firing as faft as we could.
Our Men had a great Advantage of the Spaniards
by firing up Hill, and it was a very great Ad-
vantage they were not obliged to wade; for the
Water often overflows that part where we were
obliged to engage them. We were happy e-
nough in miffing that Tide; had it been other-
wife, we had been but in a bad Situation. The
Spaniards rolled Pieces of Rocks down the
Hill and wounded a great many of our Men,
but our Advantage in firing was more than
all they could do. When they found they
could do no good they laid down their fire
Arms. Col. Bur was a Man that had great
Compaifion on a Soldier, and would fee that
they were rightly dealt by upon all Occafions ;
and exerted himfelf as far as in his Power in his
Queen and Country's Caufe. I am fenfible he
behaved valiantly and loved to fee his Soldiers
couraglous and bold in their Duty. We flaid
afhore all Night, and in the Morning returned
to our Ship. They found the Duty was too
hard for the Soldiers, and then there were Orders
fent for ten Men of a Ship to go on Shore again.
They knew I loved to go upon any Expedition
whatever; and they loved to fend me, becaufe I
was fuccefsful and brought them joyful Tidings
to enliven their Spirits; when others were con-
fufcd and did not know how to behave. It was
^ new Thing to them, but ftill I encouraged
thofe that had any Apprehenfions of Fear with-

^Matthew Bishop. 27

in them. For I obferved to them, that kt a;
Man be in what Station of Life he will, if he
has not Courage tp exert himfelf, he will never
gain Applaufe.

When we went over we found that the
Works were very much demolifhed, for there
was not a Gun that we could fire one Day
without it's being unfit for. Service the next; ^
for the Spaniards would difmount them. At
JVillss Battery I have feen the very Muzzles
of our Guns broke with their Cannon Balls :
the Round Tower was demoliflied, and the
North Baftion ; the Curtain that is between the
Bridge and the North Baftion, they battered to
fuch a Degree that a Coach and Horfes might
have gone through in feveral Places. We found
the Duty extremely hard, for what they beat
down by Day we were obliged to clear away by
Night. There was one of our Men faid to me,
finding that the Work was as much as any Maij
could undergo, " One had better be facrificed^
" than be obliged to work Day and Night mth-
** out Reji, This put me into a Rage : And
I faid to him, I am furprifed to hear any Man
talk fo madly ^ and without thought : How can
you refi when you are environed round withEne^
mieSf that would defiroy you in a Moment^ I
would not give a Farthing for the Manr that dies
under his Burthen, Don* t you know that it is for
the Prefcrvation of your own Life as well as
others? If you have not Courage to fu[>port your
felfl do not think you a proper Man to come into
th 4rmy^ to help fupport your ^een for the

i\

28 7%e Life and Adventures

good of our Country, Upon my talking to him
in this manner he .began to reflect upon him-
Iclfj and defired for God's Sake, that I would
tiot mention any Thing to the Officers about
him in Relation to what he had faid, and he
owned he deferved Punifhmcnt. I told him
that I would take no Advantage of him in any
Refpedt, but defired that I might never hear
fuch Things come out of his Mouth any more.
He faid he would do his Duty as far as in his
Power without any grumbling in the leaft.
And after that he was a very good Man and
mindful of his Duty. I obferved that one might
do more with good Words in perfuading a Man
from bad Inclinations, than by harih Ufage ;
and I was beloved for fo doing by all that knew
me. So after thefe Conferences we went to
Work again, and made a Trench under the
Wall left they fhould ftorm us. Then we
made a large Breaft Work under the Bridge in
the two Arches. They fent us a great many
Bombs, once I thought they had Tent us one
too many i for I was at Work juft in the Baftion,
and there came one as fwift as Lightning, I
had much ado to get out of it*s Way, for as
foon as it fell, I fell by it ; and found it was
better fo to do, than to ftep over it, for it blew
up in a Moment, which made the Ground
tremble. I was not above a Yard from it when
it fell, and had I been fo unwife as to have ftood
up when it fell, I fliould have been lifted up
by it's Wings. I was hardened in that Employ-
ment, and a great many of our Men ran in 9,

terrible

was
blew
ound
Nhca
ilood
i up
Ioy-»
in 9
rible

^^MatthewBishop 29

terrible Fright, thinking that I was blown up.
They faid, when they faw me, we are glad to
fee you alive* I thanked them for their Regard
for me, and told them I never minded a Bomb
at all; only to obferve it's falling and ftep out
of the Way, and fall with my Face to the,
Ground, which I would advife you to do if
ever they (hould drop near you j for it will pre-
vent their Effedt. They faid, they were fur-
prifed that it did not hurt me, as I was fo near
it, and it killed a Man a Furlong off. I told
them the Reafon was this, that when a Bomb
falls, it rifes in a Moment again and afcends
perpendicular, breaks and fpreads to a great
Diftance ; and when the Pieces of Steel fall they
do great Damage and deftroy Men at a great
Diftance. Wherefore I would have you always
obferve the Rule I have given you. They re-
turned me a Thoafand Thanks; and we con-
tinued making our Works by Night, and in the
Day Time we were employed in drawing Guns
from the new Mole to IPlllss Battery.

We had very indifferent Ground fome part of
the Way, therefore we were obliged to draw in
Gears, in the fame Manner as Horfes do. But
when we came amongft the Rocks we were
obliged to lay Deal Spars, and parbuckle them
up with Haufers; and by thefe Means we
haled them up to the Battery. When we
had drawn all the Cannon up, *and provided for
our Safeguard, we divided the Prifoners equally,
fo that each Ship might have it's Share. When
we had done v/e went merrily along, and every
4 Party

hi'

30 Tl)e Life and Adventures

Party went to it's Boat, to make for their Ships /
we had a Signal to be as expeditious as poiTible,
fo we rowed away for Life, as it was our Duty
to do. When we came to the Ship there was no-
thing extraordinary to be done, only Orders to
take the Prifoners to Lijhon. Some of the Of-
ficers afked me how I liked the Bombs flying
amongfl: us ? I told them it made us mind our
Duty, and enlivened our Spirits; for if it had
not been for fomething to divert us in the Night
we might poflibly have gone to fleep, but they
kept us all awake. They afked us if we were
not furprifed when they came firfl ? I lold them
1 was not, though one fell down by me, and
1 dropped on my Face till it burfl. They faid
1 was very wife in fo doing, and afked me how
the other Men behaved ? I told them they had
a great Regard for me, for they ran as foon
as they found it had done all the Damage it
could, thinking I was blown up by it. But, to
their great Surprize, they found me alive and
not half fo much frightened as themfelves, and
I told them how to ad in cafe they fhould be
in the fame Danger ; for which they thanked
me, and were h much enlivened that they be-
came indefatigable, though their Duty was fo
hard as to be fitter for Horfes than Men. The
Officers were all very well pleafed to hear
their Men behaved fo well ; and he that pro-
fefTed Friendfhip to me fome time before, gave
me fomewhat to drink his Health when we
came to Lijbon^ f6r which I returned him
Thanks. We had feveral other Conferences to-

8(«her,

^Matthew Bishop. 31

gether, and I always thought myfelf as happy
as any Man in the World when wc were failing.
I was very well beloved amongft the Officers,
and they were continually urging me to difcourfe
of fomewhat or other that was agreeable to
them ; and would often have me into their
Rooms to converfe with them.

We»arrived at Lijbon^ and lay there fome
Time, being all in good Health, and very mer-
ry while we were there j but for my Part I did
not love a long Continuance in any one Place.
I loved to be moving on fome Expedition
or other. This was my Inclination, and td
my great Joy we heard that the French were in
Gibraltar Bay, On hearing this we made
all Expedition imaginable, and came to the
Streights Mouthy and failed up in fuch a Man-
ner as ftruck Terror into their Spirits. They
endeavoured to make their Efcape from us, and
we thought it hard that they (hould a<^ as Re-
creants, to run away ; and were in Hopes they
would have kept their Station, that we might
have made them fenfible they were the Aggref-
ibrs. Though they thought proper to make off,
we thought we might poffibly come up with
them to give them a civil Salute ; likewife to put
them in Mind that we were obliged to vifit
them often, for fear they ihould forget us,
which it's probable they would never have done
had they ftaid *till our Fleet could have come
up with them. However fome of our Fleet
got to them, and they fired Starboard and Lar-
board, and made a good Defence for a great

while.

V

;';n

I 1

l;j^

a*;

!( 1

3 i 7&^ L//^ and j4dventuris

while, and exerted themfelves as long as their
Courage would let them. At lail two were
taken by the Dutch, one by the Englijhy and
two were fo ftruck with Fear, that rather
than engage us, they run themfelves on Shore,
and fet them on Fire. But what a feeble Ex-
cufe mufl they give to their Mailer when he
fhall call them to Account for their ill Conduct,
in deflroying themfelves, left we (hould ? And
I could not avoid calling them Hen-hearted
Blockheads for being terrified at the Sight
of us.

n

CHAP. VI.

Hey go on a Cruife : Contrary IVinds oblige
them to half Allowance : lieir Provifions
almojl Jpent, they arnhe at Liibon* . ,

AFTER that we lay free from Molefta-
tion or Difturbance from them, and I
began to think their French Courage failed them,
and that they were tired of facing us by Sea«
My Thoughts proved right : So we kept cruiz-
ing between Malaga and Gibraltar, and to the
Weft of the Streights Mouth, 'till Provifions
grew very fhort. The Wind was contrary to
where we might recruit ourfelves, and conti-
nued fo a great while ; which obliged us all to
go to Half-allowance : Which the Providence
of God diredted us to do, otherwife we (hould
all have been ftarved to Death. But his in*
cftimable Goodixefs is over all thofe that ac-
knowledge

rtj/'.M ATTHEW SiSHOP, gj

knowledge him to be Lord of Hofts : He is in-
finitely plcafed if he can bring Man to Repent-*
ance;andl thought, at that Time^ that he
laid his fatherly Hand upon us to try our Hearts^
But had we had Hearts of Stone, it would have
been enough to have made them yields to have
Deflrudtion before our Eyes^ which, without thd
Almighty's Affiftance, muft have been our Fitea
We continued in that deplorable Condition,
on half Allowance, a great while, 'till we had
almoft eat our ProviSons up ; and we greW
very feeble: I muft needs confefjJ my Gouragd
funk, and there were fome that were not able td
fupport themfclveSi efpecially thofe that ufedto
love Eating better than Work. For when we
had whole Allowance, and mefled together^
fome Men would eat as much more as others j
but when we came to half Allowance every
one took care to have an equal Share. We kept
fleering backwards and forwards a great whilc^
but could not perceive we gained Ground at
all : Till providentially the Wind turned about
again, to our great Joy and Comfort. There
are but few that can comprehend the Hardfhips
Mankind go through, unlefs they have been itl
the like : Neither do they know that Plea-^
fure which overcomes all Fear and Dreads t
muft needs confefs, I was as chearful as any
under ail Calamities, even Diftrefs of Weather j
which I count the moft unpleafant Scene at Sea^
and often caufes Famine, the worft of Deaths^
But I went through all thefe Scenes, depending
on the Almighty'^ Protedion 3 for 1 was always
I D fenfibW

34 The Life and Adventurer

fenfible that Man could not think a good
Thought, nor do a good Adlion, without hi«
Adiilance. I likewi^ thought, if God is on
my Side, I need not fear what Man can do un^
to me. Thefe were the Thoughts that fupport-
cd me, whilft others were in Torture and Pain,
jfbmc through Fear, and others by Hunger, u;
Sometimes they would afk me, how I could
be fo chearful, while others were melancho-
ly ? I told them, my inward Man fupported
my Spirits, and caufed them to flow, while o-
thers were ftarving. I muft confefs, when
firft we went to half Allowance, my Spi-
rits were a little lower than ufual ; but I believe
it proceeded more from being debarred my u-
fual Quantity, than from Hunger : For, after
fome Time, I minded it no more than if I had
had my former Allowance \ it had no Effedt on
my Courage, neither did my Spirits fink any
more during the Time of our coming to L^/?.
When we arrived there, dur Officers took a very
good Method in ferving the Men their Allow-
ance, to prevent Sicknefs; for they one Day
gave them whole Allowance, and next Day half j
and continued this Method a great while. Not-
withflanding all imaginable Care to prevent III-
nefs, there were fome of our Men, that had
been ufed to eat as much more as others, eat
that D:iy we had whole Allowance to fuch a
Degree, and with fuch Eagernefs, that they
were like Swine. I ufed to tell them, that they
had made a very hearty Repafl : And fome of
them would be very fick after eating, and would

2 . , ftrive

y%rJi

firivc to hide their Sicknefsi by putting their
Hands before their Mouths, and as it came up
into their Hands, th*^^ would endeavour to
fwallow it again ; and were Very careful left
they (hould wafte any of it, and, like Swine,
returned to their Vomit. On my afking tho
Reafon why they eat to that Excefs, they told
me, they had not half enough to fatisfy them^
and that they would eat twice as much the
next Time that they had their whole Allow-
ance. Let me advife you all, faid I, to thd
contrary; for it is very prejudicial to yout*
Healths : Therefore I would have you refrain
from fuch a monftrous Quantity. Some faid
they would take my Advice, as they knew I
never gave any that was hurtful : Others were
obftinate, and would not comply with any
Thing that was mentioned about Eating, though
I told them that eating fo very heartilyj after
living low, might throw them into a Fever, or
give them a Surfeit in the Blood, that might
not leave them foon. But nothing would do
with obftinate Men, that were fond of theif
own Opinions, thinking every one Fools but
themfelves : Therefore I left off talkins; with
them any more about it, only told them they
would rue it. They continued in that Manner
for about a Week or ten Days, when they be-
gan to be very much out of Order: Tliert
fome of them told me, they wlfhed they had
taken my Advice. As to my Advice, replied
I, you did not think it worth obfervin.'r, there-
fore yourSicknefs is of your own fceking; Yoa
. D z can

I

irrj

Hi „.

I'

m I

il

36 Tie Life and y^dveniures .

can blame no body but yourfelves, as you were
refolved not to be debarred from Gluttony. I
told you my Opinion voluntarily, and would
readily advifc any one for their own Good, if
they are willing to receive it ; if not, it is only
throwing Pearls before Swine. Don't you fee
thofe that have taken my Advice are very well ;
and fo might you, but your Obftinacy got the
better of you, and now you repent j but your
Repentance won't make you better in hafte :
So I wifli you well again, but am not a Dodtor
to cure you ; though had you taken my Advice,
it would have prevented your Illnefs. One of
the Officers arfced me, why I gave myfelf the
Trouble of tutoring fuch ignorant Blockheads ?
Sir, I replied, it is a Duty incumbent on all
Mankind to give Advice where it is required j
and to do it in afpontaneous, free Manner, of-
tentimes makes it more kindly received. Bijbop^
faidhe, I wilh all Mankind were of your Way
of Thinking. I wifli they were, Sir, iaid I,
for I have a great Inclination, pleafe God no-
thing obftruds me, to go, after this Sea-fight-
ing is over, and fee how the Land-Men behave.
I have an itching Defire to be with the Duke
of Marlborough : I have heard what a noble
Exploit he has done on the Danube^ and it
enlivens my Heart, to hear that we have a Man
that is endued with fuch excellent Wifdom,
Knowledge, and Experience, as to be efteemed
IDf all Mankind. Bifhop, faid he, you fpeak
very w.ll of the Duke, and I find your Incli-
nations are with him. Sir, pardon me, faid
^^- ,r., 4: I, but

^ Matthew Bishop. 37

I, but I believe there will little or nbthing
more be done by Sea ; therefore I abfolutely in-
tend, when I have done my Duty by Sea, to
go and ftruggle through the Land-Service j and
though I may be wandering up and down, like
a Vagrant, yet I (hall receive Pleafure in my
own Breaft in ferving my Queen and Country,
and (hall not grudge to fpill my own Blood for
the Prefervation of others. I think, faid he,
you continue in the fame Refolution as ever ;
and I wi(h it may laft. Sir, replied I, I de-
iire to live no longer than I can make good my
Intentions and fulfil all my Refolutions. I have
hitherto done my utmoft Endeavours in our
Navy, even in that great Numachiat when all
our Fleet was in Adlion together : Though I
receive nothing for it, yet I have a Pleafure in
my own Brea(t, which will endure when Mo-
ney will wade. BiJJoopy faid he, I wi(h it was
in my Power to do fomething for you, as I am
fcnfible you are deferving of it. I returned him
Thanks for the Li' erty of fo long a Converfa-
tion with him j when he told me, he liked
mine as well as any Officer's in the Army.

We^ontinued at Lijbon fo long, that I began
to be weary of our Situation. Though we were
merry enough and continually diverting our-»
felves with fome new Inventions or other, yet I
was not fo happy in that Station as I (hould.
have been on fome Expedition ; for I began to
think it long fince we had a Bout with them. I
could not help thinking that the Sea-Service
wasalmoA at an End, as we had heretofore done

D 3 fuch.

■jij

}■ >

«'■ li

!!' I

3^ 77je Life and Adventures

fuch Execution as obliged them to fhecr off;
neither did I think they would venture to look us
in the Face any more ; which gave me the Plea-
fure of thinking that I (hould one Day fee the
Land-Service, and have Room to exert myfelf
in extraneous Lands, when I had extricated my
fclf from this Confinement. Thefe were my
Thoughts Day and Night, until I heard thero
were five Sail of our Ships ordered for England^
which made me very dcfirous to know what
Ships were appointed to go : I did not care
where they were bound to, fo they were but in
Aftion ; for I loved nothing on Earth fo well a!{
to be moving from one Place to another. \
vas fome Time before I learned that our Ship
was one of them which were to fail j which
put me in fuch Raptures that I leaped for Joy,
J likewife learnt that the Puke of Schomberg
was to go with us in our Ship. Our Captain
was Commodore ; and he faid to us, Boys, now
I hope we fhall have a good Voyage to England,
I anfwered him, Sir, I hope it will be a fucceC?
ful one ; for I would gladly meet with four or
£ve French Ships, that we might give them a
(Salute in a handfom Manner ; and had we once
the Honour to be fo near them, they might pof-
fibly be fo enamoured as to go along with us.
I wifli, faid he, we may have fuch good Luck }
but, I believe, inftead of being in Love with us,
they love us beft; at a Diftance. Sir, replied I,
I have been of Opinion a great while, that they
fire fick of the Lay ; and don't think we fhajl
h^ve apy Thing extraordinary dppe at Sea : Not-

^ Matthew Bishop.- 39

mthAmding they are afraid to face us, yet they
continue theirSpite againft us, and are facinorous
and villainous enough to deflroy us behind our
Backs, unlefs we keep a Guard over them -, but
I believe a trifUng Guard will be fufficient to
Arike Terror into their Breafts, and prevent thofe
villainous Proceedings which they would be
guilty of. They would be guilty of every thing
that is bad, were it in their Power. Bijhopy faid
he, but they are obliged to acknowledge us
Mafters of the Sea, and are afraid of attacking
any Thing in our View : Our Men are ac-
tive and vigorous, which prevents their triumph-
ing over us. Sir, replied I, I am glad to hear
your Obfervations in regard io your Men ; it
Ihews your Refped: to them ; and I believe you
are fen fible they behave well anddeferve-it.
- We failed from Lifion with the Duke and
all his Baggage, and convoyed feme Merchant
Ships to Forty where we took fomc more un-
der our Convoy, and made the bed of our Way
to ;^* ** ; tliere we encreafed the Number of
our Merchant-Ships, fo that we w^ere a brave
Company, .and failed along merrily, having a
very ple^ilant Voyage all the Way. While we
were failing, the Wile of one of the Duke's Gen-
tlemen was delivered of a Child -, wJiich, be-
ing fo uncommon a Thing at Sea, caufed a great
deal of Mirth, and the Gentleman gave fome-.
what amongft us to drink the Child's Health.
So we paft the Time merrily, and I took an
-Opportunity the firll: Time I fuw the Child's
Father, .and obferved to him, Sir, as the AU

D 4 «^^s^^y

^'7 * f^'-X

y i\

iii! ■-.

i*e

p"

j

m '

4qt 72^ L//^ ^;frf Adventurer

mighty has thought proper that the Seas (houki
produce you a Son, pray let it be his Profe^
iion, and you need not fear but his Calling will
be agreeable to his Conflitution^ his Adiona
wiir gain him Honour and Applauie, and you^
m^iy congratulate him on his Succefi. Tho
Man was ftruck dumb for fome Times I
thought he was afraid of uttering his Words i
^t laft his faint Speech came out, and he faid, I
intend my Son for a better Ufe, efpecially more
to my own Satisfaction. Sir, pardon me, faid
I, as to a better Ufe, it is impoflible ) for it is
fo honorable a Calling, that the Sons of Kings
^nd Queens follow it ; Therefore I would not
have you defpife that Calling by which tho
Hand of God is leading you to a Place of Safe-
ty, He left me without Reply j therefore I todk
him to be a proud, ftubborn Man, that was a->
hove fpeaking to any below himfelf He was
offended, and would not accept of any more of
my Confabulations, neither would he let me fee
him during our Voyage to England. I was
very ferry to give any Offence by innocent Diff
courfe, for I did not mean to offend him in tho
Jeafl^ bat only to pafs Time ^way. If we
were confined from talking, we (hould be
very unhappy ; but our Tongues are at Liberty
%o fpeak our Sentiments, provided we do not ap*
ply them rudely: I would have all Men to
icnow their Diflance ; and though a Man may
}iave the Favor of his Mafter's Converfation
fometimes, yet I would not have him grow upr
pp it, ^nd tak? offenfiv? Liberties, < i .

Whea

>i3

^Matthew Bishop/' 41*

^Vhen we came to Er^kmd^ we landed the
I>ake and all his Company and Baggage zlDeah
As we were taking the Gentleman, his Wife and
Child into the Boat, to fet them on Shore, I
could not help making myfelf knowh to him,
and faid. Sir, I hope you will pardon me for
what I obferved to you about the Child, fome
time ago; I meant no Harm, neither would I
perfuade any one againft their own Inclina-
tions: But without Doubt, Sir, you are ienfi-
ble that all Mankind are apt to fpeak well of
their particular Callings. It is very trae, re-
plied he, what you fpeak in relation to Man-
kind ; though, I muft confefs, I was difpleafed
at your Application to me in that Manner : But»
ae you acknowledge the Nature of the Thing, I
forgive you. After I had prefled him in that
Manner, I found by his Looks, that he began
to refledt upon himfelf, and made an open Con-
feilion at laf^i and when we came on Shore, he
gave me a Bottle of Wine, and after we had
drank it, we parted good Friends. I returned
to the Ship, and we made the beft of our Way
to Cbathanty where our Ship was condemned,
and the Men turned over, feme on board the
Breda^ and fome to the Ipfwich, For my Part,
I was to go on board the latter, againd my
Inclinations, for I had a Fancy to go on board
the Breda : I continued very uncafy, becaufe
I had more Value for the Captain of the Breda
than for him with whom I was ; not that I had
taken any Antipathy , only that I had fome Know-
ledge of the other i therefore from that my In-.

.'-^.v dinations

4S The Lsfi and Advtniuret

ctinations or VenerAtion aralSb. After I hftd
placed my Refped there, nothing would ^ttsfy
me till I had accomplidicd my Defins % which
I <lLd in a very ftre&uous Maimer. I was o-
bliged tobe very adtire in my Proceedings % had
I not, i muft have continued in the Place firil
appointed, hut I left no Stone unturned while it
was in Agitation. There was no Time to de-
lay s our Ship was ordered to go a cruizing;
therefore I applied myielf in the foilowisig Man-
ner : As I was unacquainted with the Captain,
I made ail the Interceflion I could with ail the
other Officers, to fpeak to the Captain in ray
Behalf, and they were fo kind as to do it : The
Captain's Reply was, as they told me. Gentle-
men, I have had a very good CharacSter of this
Man, that he is tkebe^ Man that ever vi^nt
into a Ship, and will be of more Service to mc
than twenty others ; therefore I am unwiHing
to part with him* The Officers then were i<>
kind to obferve, Sir, the Man is fcemingly very
uneafy, and if he ihould go againfl his Inclina^
tions, it is poffible he may not prove fo good as
you expcd: ; therefore, was the Cafe ours, we
would let him follow his Inclination, e^ecially
as he has pufhed for it fo ftrenuoufly. Then
be told them, that, fince my Defire was fo
ftrongly bent on going, that in two or three Day*
he would confider of it. The Officers were fo
kind as to tell me this Difcourfe, which gave
me Hopes of accomplifhing my Defign j but I
had much rather the Captain had not received
gny Charadcr of me, for his receiving it in that

Manner

^Matthew Bishop. 43

TH/bainte made it reafonable to think he tvoold
be onwHling to pout ^ivith me. Wherefore I
faid to the Officers, Gentlemen, the Captaia
has received abetter Charad^r of me than I de-
ferve. I had fcatce fpofee the Words, when the
Captain came, and aiked me the Reafon why I
was not wiiiii^ to continue with him ? Sir,
pardon me, faid I ; I have taken no Antipathy
againft any belonging to the Ship, but as I have
fct my Heart on going in the other, I beg the
Favour of you to be ib Idnd as to relinquifh the
Power you have over me : Not that I want a
general Releafe from the Queen's Service, but
only to be turned over to where my Inclinations

IcaJ

for I would rather fuifer-

>than

be c'.p pointed, and would rather undergo the
greateil HardOiip Mankind could infiidb on
me, than comply with what is not agreeable
to me. The Captain left me, and faid he
would confider of it. Then I thought it
high Time for me to confider, and could not
help refieding thus. Oh Man ! what have you
been doing, that your Servitude will not gain
you fuch a fmall Spark of Friendftiip as this is?
Had I been guilty of Indifference, or Carekfnefs
of Behaviour, or Indifcretion in making or be-n
ing guilty of Drunkennefs j had I been, poflibly
I might have received greater Favor; for it
plainly appears, that Mankind will prefer the
indifrcrent Servant before the diligent.

Thefe and many other Reflexions occurred
to me, thinking that the upright Man mud be
opprefTed while Indignity will flourifli. After
'^-^-'f ■ ' foi,iie

II'

;i|i.

III.
k

44 72^ L//^ and Adventures

ibme Time the Captain afked me if I continued
in the fame Mind? MyAnfwer was, Sir, my
Mind is not fubjeft to Change, it is fledfaflly
£xed and I (hall always continue in the fame
Dilpofition, Well, faid he, fince you are en-
dued with fuch Refolution of Mind, take this
Letter, and go to the Breda and give my Ser-
vice to the Captain : This put me in great Rap-
tures, I returned him Thanks, and made the
beft of my Way to the Ship. When I came
there the Captain faid he was glad to fee me, I
thanked him and faid, I was overjoyed to fee
him, though it was with great Difficulty that
I obtained that Favour, for they were unwilling
to part with me. I thought as much, faid he.
Why fhould you think fo, Sir, faid I ? He has
had no Trial of me. Though he has not, re-
plied the Captain, undoubtedly he has heard of
your Charadler. Sir, faid I, I am fenfible of it.
Then, faid he, that is the reafon of your Deten-
tion, and he would have kept you by Force if
it had not been for Devoir,or the Rules of Civility
and Reafon which all Mankind ought to obferve.
After this Conference I was very well affured
that I had accomplifh'd my Defign. I think
proper to obferve, that had I went againft my
own Inclinations from one bf the moft adive
Men in the World, I ihould I believe have be-
come the greateft Drone j neither do I think I
(hould have been able to exert myfelf in any
Thing, but fhould have been like a Lump of
Lead : And not having Spirits enough to fupport
myfelf, how is it poflible I (hould help to lup^

port

^MatthewBishop 45

port others? And this is the Cafe of moft that-
are forced againft their Inclinations. I will ven-
ture to fay that fifty Men that are vigorous wiil^
do more Execution than two hundred Drones.
It is often feen in prefs*d Men that they are
ilubborn and fulky, and ready to comply with
any Thing that is villainous. I have known
Men that have been ready to go into foreiga
Service, rather than ferve under a particulat
Man ; though it was my daily Endeavour to
turn their Hearts, and I had very good Succeis
in fo doing ; for had I not fpirited up our Men
that were backward in exerting themfelves, in-
flead of defeating others we might have been
defeated. For this Reafon I would have no
Man obliged to do any Thing but what he does
fpontaneouily ; for then there is no Quedion
but he will be vigorous in his Proceedings,
and it will render him capable to exert himfelf
when required. But others are inert, and ufe-*>
lefs, and can effedt nothing but their own De-
ilru<fl:ion. Therefore there ought to be proper
Means ufed to bring fuch Men into the
Army as are given to Induftry and indefa-
tigable, for there is no Good comes of iloth-
fulMen, neither are they fit for any Thing
but to continue Vagrants as they are. There is
another Thing I would obferve, which is, that
Iparentfi (hould fludy the Difpofition of their
Child before they put him Apprentice, and fee
whether he be inclinable to fuch a Calling or
not J left, like myfelf, he (hould be bound to a
Trade whicl^ he diflikes, though I had Refolu-

tion

'i!

Bs i ji

!i

I'

I* *J,

ill I

■! ^-ni

(I

46 Tie Life and Adventures

don enough to continue my Appcenticefhiptnt;
but when I was out of my Time, I cowd not
confine myielf to my Buiine^, althouda my
Friends let me up with a very ^306. Stock, and
had I not had an otter Averfion to it I might have
made myfclf very happy: After fomc Time
I left off my Bufinefs and was changed to a rov-
ing Difpofition of Mind, living on what I had,
till there was talk of a War. Then I refolved to
go,and liked it extremely well ; though it might
have been Thoufands In my Way had I conti-
nued my Bufinefs, but no one could perfuade
me from throwing away the Flower of my
Youth in the Queen's Service. But though I
did io well, there are Thoufands that get into
bad Company and meet with an ill End ; which
is the Fruit of all thofe that complot together
amongft Rogues. This a Youth oftentimes
too readily complies with, efpecially, if he be
croft by his Parents, therefore he throws his
RefenCment on himielf, and will not give At-
tention to any Advice of his Friends ; but is
fully bent on his own Ruin. Another Thing^
which I think proper to obferve, is with Rela-
tion to Servants ; for I would not have any one,
through any Perfuafions whatever, go to Service
unlefs he goes fpontaneoufly : If a Servant goeth
with a good Will, the Matter will have a good
Servant of him; other wife they give no Atten-
tion to their Duty, but do every Thing with In-
diiferency, till at laft the Mafter perceives it,
and difcharges them from his Service without
a Charadtcrj when the poor Man lies lurking
'^^*' / about

abottt till he hsis %nt his Money and calk't get
any Bufine^s ; for none will en>ploy him if t^y
know him to be a Gentkn^n's Servant bccaufe
they have the Charader of idle F^owsj (o
the poor Creature being drove to Indigence,
Necelilty, the Mother of Invention, will do any
Thing rather than Aarve; and being drove to
their laft ^ft$ tl are enough reft' ^ : >back
them to tlieir uwn a^eftru<^ion» Life is fweet
and Plenty comfortable; though perhaps their
Inclinations before were not inclinable to lU :
For Indigence oftentimes obliges Men to do that
which otherwife they would not have done.
And lome Men are fo fond of opprefltng, that
they will even make their Brags of their villain>-
ons Proceedings without any Remorfe of Con-
fcience..

CHAP. VII. 4

Tley go M a Cruife and meet with a Storm : ^he
Jlutbor goes on board the¥ox Man of War:
Ihey go on a Crutje to the Bay of Bifcay and
the French Coajl, and from, thence to Ireland
to get more Men.

WE fet out and failed Weftward, and
kept cruifing a great vi^hile vj^ithout
meeting with any Thing to exert ourfelves : I
longed to be in Action, and was afraid that we
ihould forget how to behave ourfelves, as it was
fo long lince we were ingaged, I ufed to walk
backwards and forwards, and on a fadden would

A flop

^v

L.

ifi

ill •!.

^^{'

IP; Mi

II

I!- ri-;-

mi''
urn

48 72^ L/^ and Adventures

ftop and lay hold of a Gun, and fay to myfelf^
Oh ! was I but exerclfing you, I would make
our Oppofers tremble : And I promifed mvieif
{hould we meet with any we fhould (hew tnem
what Metal we were made of: Even I thought
were all of my Refolution we fhould be ftrong
enough to engage four times our Strength. For
I always told our Men it was not the Body but
the Courage that repelled. It was a great Sign
our Enemies were ftruck with Fear, or elfe we
(hould have perceived fomething of them, nay
we even fearched all the Creeks we could in ex^
pe£lation of fomething, but in vain; therefore
I could not help faying to the Captain, Sir, this
is as fruitlefs a Cruife as I had up the Mediter-
ranean in Purfuit of the French and Spaniards^
therefore I have but little Pleafure in it. Here*
plied, Bijhop^ I am very fbrry that it happeneth
iOy for I fhould be glad to meet with fomething
to fee how aftive you all are. Sir, faid I, you
need not queilion, if we have the good Fortune
to meet with any Thing, but our Adions will
be vigorous. We had a pretty long Conference
together about obr fruitlefs Cruifc : My Captain
was a very eafy familiar Gentleman, and was
always ready to hear an Inferiour, which gain-
ed him the Love of all, and fhould have been
glad of an Opportunity to have helped to gain
him Honour. It was my Temper even to lay
down my Life to ferve thofe that are worthy of
Honour; and I believe I fhall always continue
in the fame Mind, for nothing ever afiedted me,
in regard to Mankind, to deferve my Hatred.

a Thare-

Therefore I have a Pleafurc in my awn Brcaft,
m Hkewife an undaunted Courage that nothing
will ftrike with Fear.

As we were cruifing about we met with a
Hurricane, in which we loft our Main top Mafti
(o that after the Storm was over we could not
make any Way. But fortunately the Worceftef
Man of War was near us, and took us in Tow*
Yet we were a long time before wc reached
'England^ when we put into Hamoufe at P^-
mouth^ and there we eat our Chriflmas Dinner
with good Appetites, for frefli Beef and Plumb
Pudding was a Novelty to us: I continued there
a little while waiting for Orders. Before wre
had any Orders I obferved to the Captain, that
I hoped he would have better Succefs in his next
Cruife, for, faid I, we have done nothing to dc-
ferve your Commendations in this, neither have
you had any Example of us 5 and without Trial
it is impoflible you (hould know how I could
exert myfclf : had any Thing been in my Way
I would have (hewed an Example that others
might *:ave followed. Bifiopy replied he, I
fhou. be glad of the Opportunity,and could not
help having Anxiety at being fo unfortunate as
not to meet with any Thing. Then I told him,
that I would go into the Fox and fee what I
could meet with there ; he faid I fhould have
his Prayer go where I would, for I was a merry
Fellow, fo we parted.

In 1706 I went into the Fox and was very
kindly received by all the Officers, who faid to
tne, you (hall be very well ufed in our Ship,
^ i# ^ . E - ■ for

'I'yt

50 The Life and Adventures

for we have heard your Charadtcr, and if any
Thing happens you (hall have the Chance of
it J therefore we would have you continue the
fame Refolution as ufual, for we have had a
Value for you ever fince we have heard of your
Behaviour -, and we 6nd that you was agreeable
to the whole Ship from the higheft to the loweft,
and that the Sailors obfervcd your Inftru^ons
and would comply with every thing you de-
iired, therefore we are glad to have fuch a Man
amongfl us that can win the Hearts of all > and
if you behave as well as you have done hereto-
fore you (hall want no Incouragement^ I told
them, they need not queftion but my Behaviour
would be the fame to all Mankind, and as for
the Sailors, I thought it was a Duty incumbent
on me to give Advice to thofe that were inclin-
able to be vicious; therefore I took upon me to
reprove thofe Men left they (hould err, and
by their Means we might be drawn into Er-
rors ; and that I thought it was 'my Duty to my
Queen and Country to be agreeable to all. When
our Difcourle was almoft over, and I had found
out the Gentlemens Tempers, I faid. Gentle-
men, I hope we (hall meet with fomething that
1 may (liew yo' my Dexterity, and you (hall
fee how your Men will exert themfelves 5 I be-
lieve there wt e none of your Men at the great
Numachia ; I believe they are moft fre(h Water
Sailors, but if I continue amongft them I (hall
make them fait Water Sailors -, and they (hall
not want for Inftrudlions if they are capable of
receiving any, and I will do my Endeavour to

make

-V^v

ni^

#

^ Matthew Bishop. 51

make them as bold as Lions when they come
to face their Enemy. So I thanked them for
their kind Reception, and we parted.

Soon after we went a cruifing on the Coaft
oi France y and from thence to the Bay of Bif'
cay, where the Sea ran Mountain high; and
fome of our Men, whom I called frefh Water
Sailors, were in great Torture. I muft ccnPefs
it was a furprifing Tornado, and there were
Orders for the Malls to be ilruck, to lower
the Sails and down with the Yard-Arms : Se
we put our Ship in aPofture of Defence again ft
the Sea and receiv'd no Damage. Then I faid
to thofe that were in Torment all the while the
Tornado continued, Gentlemen, 1 am much
furprifed to fee you all in fuch Agonies at fo
trifling a Thing as this is j had you been with me
in the Mediterranean you would have thought
all nothing ; for I have feen Clouds of Water
even cover the whole Ship, and was never ftruck
with fo much Fear as you are now. There-
fore do not let your feeble Courages be caft
down ; for if you continue at Sea as long as I
have, you will go through ten times worfe
Storms than this : And a Sailor (hould never
be afraid of any Thing the Sea can produce ;
for if your Fear once gets the better of your
Courage, you will be of no ufe at all : There-
fore I would advife you as a Friend to rcfledt
upon yourfelves. With this Application I found
they began to revive, and told me they thought
it could not be worfe than this was, but iince
it vvere fo they need not have been under fuch

E 2 Apprehen-

5 3 Tie Life ^nd jidventurea

Apprehenfions of Danger. You may be a(^
fured, replied I, that what I fay is right, I will
not deceive you nor any one elfe. When our
Dlfcourfe and the Tornado was almoft over I
found they began to be intuitive ; but was afraid
they would be inconfoleable, they were in fuch
great Torture, wilhing they had never come to
Sea. I thought fome of them would have jump*
ed over board, for they were jud like Madmen,
fo that I had enough to do to pacify them ;
though I thought nothing a Fatigue that I could
accomplifh, in endeavouring to do any one a
Piece of Service : for as I always thought it my
Duty, it was a Pleafure to me, and I would
deted Things that would be a Detriment to
them, in caie I found them of a placable Tem-
per. This was my Manner of Behaviour to
my Companions, and they would often acknow-
ledge my Civilities to them : And I mud con*
fefs that I never advifed any Man but he com-
plied with me, and I never thought much of
my Time.

When the Tornado was over, and every one
cafy, we (leered for the Ifleof Scillyt and when
we came there we lay at Anchor for a while,
for our Captain lov'd to be cruifing from one
Place to another. He feemingly was a very ac-
tive Man, and I believe long'd to be in Adioa
as much as I did ; for he often told me he was
afraid that I (hould have no Opportunity to
exert myfelf. Sir, replied I, I faid fome time
ago that we had fwept the Seas clean, and now
I think my Obfervaiion is made out : Therefore

: ^ after

le was

ty to

time

now

reforc

after

^Matthew Bishop. 53

after this Cniiie, if we (hould not light on
my Thing, I will decline going to Sea any
more, lor it niakes me exceflive dull and (lupid
to have nothing to enliven and raife our dead
Spirits. I think we mizht as well be dead
as without AdUon ; we had not ufed to be fb
long without ibme Exploit, and I believe I (hall
never be happy till I can help to perform fome
noble Atchievement or other ; for my Inclina-
tions are to humble the proud Spiwts of our
Enemies $ for I muft needs confefs it is our own
Faults that they triumph over us : For we r^'e
endeavouring to enrich our Enemy's Country
by impoverifhing our own, and are fo unwi&
as to encourage them in every Thing, to the Jjy'-
couragement of our own People : For an Eng"
lijb Servant, Taylor or Peruke- maker can't
pleafe the Gentlemen, nor an Englijb Milliner
the Ladies : and for Faftiions we are intir^ly
oblig'd to France, This makes our Natives
difpirited and difconfolate, while their Am*
bition is to dedroy us. I am furpris'd fuch
wife Men as we have in England can't dete^
the Thieves that pick their Pocket?, c-en before
their Faces. Either they cannot or will not fee
them. I hope. Sir, fays I, you ^111 excule this
Freedom, and Til to work. — Accordingly to
weighing our Anchor we went, and fail'd up
the Channel and anchored at Torbay : We lay
there but a (hort Time, and the Captain thought
it was not to our Advantage to lie idle a Mo-
ment longer than was neccffary ; therefore he
ordered us to weigh again, which we did with

E 4 a great

/■"

l:i

5 4 7he Life and Adventures •

a great deal of Pleafure. I was glad to fee ouf
Captain fo brifk in forwarding us, for he faid,
I defire you will be as expeditious as pofUble,
which we were, and then kept cruifing about
for a confiderabie Time but could not hit on
any Thing j which made me think us very un-
fortunate. We put into Cutwater, and juft as
we had caft Anchor the Weather began to be
extremely rough, and we expected to drive every
Moment : to prevent whicn we carried a Cable
and faflned it round the Rock, which was a
Security to us againft the Severity of the Wea-
ther. Some of our Men were backward in
going into the Boat to carry the Cable ; I faid
I would go, and, then they were eager of going 5
thinking they fhould {hare the fame Fate as I
did. But juft as we came to the Rock two of
them fell over board, when fortunately a large
Wave drove them' to us, fo we haled them
into the Boat; but they were above half an
Hour before they recovered ; fo we faftned the
Cable without their Affiftance, and juft as we
had done they fell a vomiting prodigioufly. I
faid to my Companions, now I find they will do
again, for their Bellows begin to play, which
caufes Sicknefs : they will throw up all the Salt
Water and be well again prefently, and accord-
ing as I obferv'd it happened. Then I afked
them whether they remembred any Thing when
they were pulled out of the Water, or when
they were in the Water? They anfwered they
remembred falling into the Water and ftrug-
gling fpr fome time with great Torture, till the

■ /, .:. Water

^Matthew Bishop. 55

Water overcame their Spirits ; then they felt
nothing, neither did they remember being pull-
ed out of the Water. I hope, fays I, you will
acknowledge you were in the Jaws of Death,
till the Almighty thought fit to reftore you by
the Diredion of a Wave, (for they could not
fwim). We went to our Ship again, and the Men
were not for our telling it, though it was im-
poflible but the Men in the Ship mufl fee it,
which they did ; and began with us, afking how
the Men happen'd to fall over board ? We faid
as it was, that they fat together very careleflly,
and as we were near the Rock a Wave nearly
overwhelmed us, and they puU'd each other in 5
and the Rolling of the Waters took them out
of our Sight, till a Wave came and drove them
near us. Had I not been very brifk they would
have drove againft the Rock, but we took hold
of them as they came by. They were very
much delighted that we had fuch good Fortune
to fave their Lives unexpectedly, but Providence
was their Deliverer.

When the Storm was over we cruis'd to-
wards Ireland, and put in at the Cove at Cork,
As foon as we were fettled we had an Order to
go on (hore to prefs Men, and a pretty large
Body of us went. I, knowing that the greateft
Part of us were licentious Men, was afraid if wq
went all together we (hould do no good. There-
fore I made a Propofal to them, but had a long
Conference before I could get the licentious Men
to comply 5 but at laft I accomplifti'd it and
endeavour'd to get thofe with me that were li-^
*^i*T* E 4 beral

56 The Life and AJvirtthta

beral and facetious and could make any €hk^|
agreeable that We (hould ikieet with. The Men
I chofe were (placable iind could put up wi&
an Affront. When we were agreed we divide
ed into two Bodies, and they went in at one
Part of the Town and we at another. Then I
faid to our Company, I don't doubt but we
(hall get twice the Number of Men that they
do, if you will be conformable, and of one
Way of thinking ; for we (hall do no good i^
there is any Repugnancy or DiviHon amongil
vs. They faid they would comply with any
Thing that I thought right. I could defire no
more, only faid, I hope you will haveRefoluticm
enough to keep your Words, They faid, I naight
depend on them. Then I faid, I have a Mind to
fee what good Ufage will do, for I have a Notion
it will do more than rough; if not, we can but
compel them at lafl. 1 know Mankind don*t
love to be compelled to any Thing. I thmk it
will be proper to go to one of the beft Inns and
have a Pint of Wine each Man, which will r©*
Vive u3 and make us iit for Buiinefs, and when
we are there we will confuU how to aifl. While
we were drinking I faid, thofe that can play
pn any fort of Inftrument I would have you
provide you^felves. Then one of the Men belongs
ing to the Inn came to us, and we defired hin^
to get us a Fiddle, Hautboy and a pair of Bag
Pipes. When we had got them we went joft
out at the Door, and they played and we danced
for a eonfidcrable Time, till moft of the idle
part of the Town ^ame to vifit os, which was

what

of UAftHt^BUHpt. yf

^kM we iintocxid: Then vie ciSkd for a Bottle
of Wine t6 drink die Qj^en'9 Hesildi. We drtnk
a Glafs apiece which emptied the Bottle, and
itttt for anodier. I &id to the Popohce, Hts
hoW we live my Boys! with oii^ Pockets fuU of
Money to fapport us while ydB are ftarving. I
am fuiprired /ou' that ate indigent never think
df going to Sea, for feveril make thdr Fortune
by going; and fiich clever young Men as you
are need not fear gaining fomething advantti^
g^ous fettr yourfblves^ if you could perfuade fome
body or other to take you. O Lord! fays th^
Men, there was a Prefs Gang up in the Towii
but we made our Eicape from them, fb we
(hould not find it a DifKctilty to get in. Ay,
my Boys, &id I, but it is a great Favour to ^
ifa, becaule thofe thftt are permitted to enter vo*
hintariiy are better looked otththan fffek Men ^
hr the Officers will (hew them Re%ed: while
the others are confined like Prifdners, fo that
nome that are wife will put it in their Power tot
prefs thena ; for there is a wide Difference be-
tween being prefs'd and going Voluntier. A.
Pref^ Gang take all without Exception, aind
treat them with very rough Ufage. Therefore
if any of you young Men have a Mind to go,
not that I would advife you againfl your Inch-
jliations, but if you are determined to go I would
have you go voluntarily. They anfwered, if
they did gO they would go aH together : I then
called for another Bottle, and gave each of theni
a Glafs, being glad to hear their Intimation ;
m^ thinking good Living would be a great In^

diicement,

w

'\ ii'-'^-'

■ 1 : ;

58" The Life and Adventures

ducemem, I took them into the Houfe, and'
gave them a cold Buttock of Beef fluffed. They
eat and drank very hearty, and were worth
taking Pains with, for they were nine clever'
young Men, and feemingly very fit to make fine
Sailors. When they had eat and drank what
they thought proper, they faid they had never-
fared more to their Liking in their Lives. I
told them nobody lived better than we did.i
They replied, they wifhed they could go in a
Ship without being prefTcd, and be well ufed,
they would go with as much Pleafure as
they had eat that Dinner. I could defire no
more, for I was fenfible they had eaten their
Dinner with a, good Appetite. I faid to them,
iince you are fo inclin'd, I will endeavour to
make Interefl to get you all into our Ship if I
can, if not, you fhall return as you came; but
there is another Thing, I will not take you if
any of you think you fhall refledi on me for
it; I afTurc you I do it for your Good. They
promifed me they would not, and that they
fhould be glad to go with me. Upon that I en-
gaged them and^ook them all along with us
to the Ship, where they were very kindly re-
ceived : And I obferved to the Men that were
with me, now you have found every Thing that
I faid is come to pafs ; and that good Ufage will
always carry the Point. Soon after the other
Party came and brought three clumfey Fellows
as ragged as Colts.

When we were all together the Officers afk-
cd us, why we did not go in a Body together ?

I Sir^

for

They

they

en-

h us

lows

Sir,

o/" Matthew Bishop; 59

Su", I replied, it was an Agreement among our
felves, therefore I hope you are not difpleafcd at
it: For had we gone together there would have
heen no Good done ; for inilead of following
and intimating their Minds to us, we (hould
intimidate them, as feveral of them faw the
Prefs Gang and Qiunned them. And as I found
fome of our Men were licentious and ready to
difpute whatever I propofed, I could not be eafy
till I had feparated them : For I was always of
Opinion that whatever Expedition Men under-,
took, if they were not thoroughly agreed how
to proceed, they muft expe<fl nothing but De-
ftrudlion ; for a Houfe divided again ft itfelf can-
riot ftand. And I believe that they are now
thoroughly convinced that I was right ; for they
fay they are forry that they did not follow my
Diredions, which they fiiid would have been
the chief Inftrument to have done Bufinefs. Sir,
if you pleafe to give me leave 1 will make a Com-
parifon: had there been fuch a Repugnancy at
the great Nurnachiay or any Atchievement what-
ever, it would have been but fmall Recompence af-
ter Thoufands were facrificcd through the Power
*of fome hot headed Men that will not be con-
formable to Counfel, but will perfift in their
Obftinacy to their own Deftrudtion ; which is
the Fruit of all ftifF-neck'd People that ar« fo
fond of their own Opinions as to think none fo
wife as themfelves. BiJJoop^ faid he, I like
your Comparifon very well, and think that
where Life depends hot headed Men fhould not
be concern'd. He left me and I obferved by
-\u% ' ' ' his

^ i i-H'

^o Tie Life and Adventurei

his Speech that he had a Feeling of Humanity in
htm, which cauied me to have a greater Rj^rd
for him than before; and at that Time I wbidd
have gone through Fire Or Water to have ferved
him, and would even have laid down my Lilc
for thofe that had a feeling Tendernefs for Man-
kind. Soon after he left me, there were Orders
to weigh Anchor, and we were commanded t0
go to Waterford to prefs more Men. Wheii
we came there the Captain ordered twelve Men
to go on Shore, and I was pitch'd on for one :
For my Part I always loved to be employed,
and did not care how they difpofed of me fo
that my Blood was but in Motion \ and when
I knew what I was going about my Heart was
continually inventing fome new Stratagem, that
might be agreeablei to the Company I was with«
The Men that were with mc faid they would
comply with any Thing that I thought right ; I
thanked them, and faid I would think as w^ll
as I could, and iince we muft have Men I would
do my utmoft Endeavour to bring them into
our Company. Then we all went into an Ale-
houfe and made ourielves cheerful that we
might have Spirits to exert ourfelves. Here I
afked the Men that were with me whether they
would like to play at Football, which I pro-
pofed becaufe they were very a^ive young
Men. They agreed and we made the Match foT
a Crown a Man, It was jufl at the fide of the
Town that we played, and were not long be*
ft>rre we had Cortipany enough to vifit us, which
Was tb^Thii^ I wanted, We played a^confide*

rablc

^

^MatthewBishop '^ 6i

rtble Time before our Game was up^ and the
Company ^e had was innumerable. Some faid
they would play with us ; I was glad to hear
that, and faid we are twelve of us, and will play
with the bed Men you can pick out of the
whole Company for what Money you will. On
my faying that it was not long before they got
twelve Men in Oppolition to us. I muft needs
fay they were well made Men, and very fit for
what I intended. They were for playing im-
mediately, but I defired they would excufe us
till we had drank a Pint of Beer each Man, and
if they would favour us with their Company,
they (hould have part of it, and then we could
make our Agreement what to play for. They
were not for going till I told them that I was
exceffively dry ; and that we would not Hay
above a Minute. With that they faid they would,
which I was very well pleafed with. When we
caflie to the Alehoufe we called for a Gallon of
the beft ftrong Beer they had, and as we were
a large Company we would have the biggeft
Room intheHoufe. When we had drank about
three Gallons they were for going. I defired they
would (lay and help to drink another and then
we would all ga While we were drinking the
laft, I aiked them fome Queftions, whether they
were married, what Bufinefs they followed, and
whether they ever had any Thoughts of going
to Sea? They anfwered, they were none of
them married, nor had they any fuch Thoughts,
as they took the Sea to be fit only for ihofe that
could not get Bread t^y Land. I was glad to

I

'•;

I- ^

"-.i^

II

62 The hife and Adventures

hear that they were all iingle Men, becaufb I
promifed myfelf never to difappoint the Wife of
ner Hufhand. I had much rather diiappoint
the Farmer, or any other Mafter, of his Man,
than deftroy the Marriage-Bed. Had I done
that, I fliould have deferved the Curfe of the
Wife J but my Endeavour was to deferve the
Curfe of no one, if I could any ways prevent it. I
was obliged to be fevere with thefeMen,bccaufe
I found them obftinate : I faid to them very
mildly at firfl, Gentlemen, you all told nie
you were not married, otherwife I would not
have defired the Favour of you j her Majefty
wants Men, and you are all fit Perfons to be
recommended , into her Service ; therefore I
would have you all go voluntarily along with us,
and you (hall be well ufed. With that they
fell into a great Rage, and ufed very abufive
Words, faying, is this your Foot-ball Match ?
with a great Oath. I had tutored our Men be-
fore, in cafe they (hould be Irefolute. They
were for getting out of the Room, but I pre-
vented them, by locking, the Door and putting
the Key in my Pocket. Then J faid to our
Men, Now, my Boys ! Then we began Battle
Royal. Every one of us had (hort Sticks, and
we rib-roafted them pretty handfomly, till they
jvere as cool as Lambs. For my Part, at that
Time 1 had Spirits enough to beat any two of
them, though I was but a Stripling ; for, as I
have often obferved, it is not the Bulk of a
Man that doth Execution. When wc had fa-
tisfied them with Stripes, we called for another

Gallon

^

of Matt nzv/ Bishop. 63

Gallon of Arong Beer } we took it in at the
Window, and drank round : Then I deiired
them to be contented iii their Stations, as the
Queen's Sailors, and if any of their Genius's
could arrive at any Thing better, they (hould
be encouraged. And likewife I defired to know
whether they would go Volunteers ; for if they
would, they (hould be well ufed ; if not, I would
fend for a Cart Rope, and tie them all together,
when they would find a great deal of Difference :
Therefore I advifed them to confider of it, for I
was determined to do as I faid: And told
them they (hould be all taken as Prifoners ; but
if they were affable, a Hair of their Heads (hould
not be touched; and that they (hould have all
the Liberty that in Reafon they could defire ;
and that I would endeavour to make them com-
plete Sailors, if they would follow my Diredti-
ons ; for that nothing (liould be wanting, that
accrued to my Knowledge, in ferving them.

After a long Conference to this EfFedt, I
had the good Fortune to prevail with them to
be Volunteers, which gave me a great deal of
Pleafurej and i n (lead of running from us, they
brought feveral others along with them, and
they were all very well reconciled to us, and
returned to our Ship very merrily, where they
were kindly received. Here I faid to them, My
Boys I you will have no Reafon to complain of
the Officers, for they are very civil Men, and
will encourage you, if you behave well 5 and I
will be as good as my Word, in inftrud:ing of
you. I then went down to the Captain's Ca-
> : bin.

■ '(h'

$4 Tie Life and Adventures

kin, and told him all our Proceedings. He
laid I was the luckieft Man he had ever met
with, and gave ine an handfom Acknowlede-
ment, defiring I would keep it ; but as I thought
thofe with me had as good a Right as my
felf, I therefore diftributed it amongft them.
They (aid, Pray Ood blefs the noble Captain 1
So he had their Prayer, though it was my Gift;
but I had much rather their Regard fhould be
for their Officers than for myielf, for from
Something comes Something ; but they could
not expedt any Thing from me but Advice, and
that tney were always welcome to. I never
thought m) rime idly ipent in converting with
them, efpecially if I could reform them; for I
thought it a Duty incumbent on me to do fo.
The Officers were exceeding well pleafed at our
bringing fb many clever young Men ; and the
Captain faid, As you have had fuch good Suc-
ceis in both thele Places, I think it will be right
to make the beft of our Way to Dublin ; for it i$
poffible, that being fo large a Place, you may
get a brave Parcel together. I replied. Gentle-
men, ilnee it is your good Pleafure to fend me
upon theie Expeditions, I will do my utmofl to
ferve my Queen and your Honours. There-
upon they gave Orders to weigh, and having
a fair Wind, we were not long before we reach-
ed Duhiin, When we came there, the Cap-
tain gave Orders for twenty Men to go on
Shore to prefs more Men. When we got on
Shore we divided ourfelves, left they (hould
have any SufpiOion of us. I knowing that Men

had

cf MATtHtv^ Btsiiop. 65

had rather £hun than meet a JPrefs Gang, we di"
vided into three Companies, and I faid to them^
as thev had approved of the DiviAon^ I think
we will go into the Town^ and two Companies
may go down to the Skirts i but we will go
through the Middle of the Town, and by.
that Means we (hall fweep it clean, and then
we (hall meet together at the End. But thero
is fomething more to be contrived, if we in-
tend to do any Good here : I think it is propef
that we (hould go through the Town firft, to
endeavour to learn the Conftitution of the Peo«
pie, and by fo doing they will have no Sufpici-*
on of us when we go through the fecond Time^
The Men agreed to my Propofal, and faid they
would be obfervant to any Thing that I (hould
think worth their while : I was glad they had
fuch a good Refolution, and began to think wa
(hould do (bmething more than our Officers ex-
peded, which put me in great Spirits. When
we parted, I de(ired they would not pafs an
Ale-houfe without paying their Refpedts
to the Landlords and tailing their Beer ; be-
cauie that will be a Means, if any Thing
(hould happen, of having them on our Sides,
which will be a great ilrengthening to ug j
Therefore I would have you all be extremely
civil to all you meet with. And, to carry on
the Intrigue with Dexterity, you may (ignily
to the People, that fix of our Men and fix o-
thers are to meet at two o' Clock this After-
noon, to play at Cudgels and Quarter-Staff^J.
and that you are going to fee the Town, and by
i F . that

66 Tie Life and Adventurer

that Time they will be ready to begin. You
muft be all of one Speech, that they may have
no Sufpicion of you ; and perhaps fome of them
may defire you to call upon them as you eo
back, and be fure not to deny them, efpecialTy
if you think them fit for your Purpofe. They
anfwered me, that I needed not doubt their Care,
for they would do to the utmoil of their Abili-
ty ; and I defired them, if they iaw any of us,
not to take any Notice, but to proceed oil their
Bufinefs. When we parted, we were all in
high Spirits, which I liked, as I was fenfible no
Good could be done, unlefs we had good Spi-
rits to fupport us \ and I always obferved, that
there would never be any Good done if there
was any Expoflulation amongft them ; which
made me think myfelf very lucky in having
Men along with me that were of a placable
Temper, though they would exert themfelve»
when required ; which I think is fufficient in
any Man j for quarrelfom Perfbns are not fit
to be fent on any Expedition whatfoever, for,
inflead of forwarding, they will hinder it, fo
that no fort of Stratagem which can be invent-
ed will take. For thcfe Sort of Men have no
Notion of any Thing but Violence; and, for
my Part, I always loved to make Men eafy in
their own Minds, before I would have any
Thing to do with them ; as you ihall hear, af-
ter I have told you our Proceedings in Town.
As we went up the Town, we faw ieveral cle-
ver young Men playing at Chuck, Pitch, and
Hufiel: We went forward 9nd did not in-
terrupt

^Matthew Bistiop* G-f

ttrtupt their Diverfion } but Tome of our Men
being willing to iland to fee them play, there-»
fore I faid to them^ Don't ftand to fee thefd
Children play at Chuck ; with that feme of
them were offended, and replied in very vulgar
Language, which I did not mind, as they could
not offend me ; therefore I told, our Men, it
they did not come, I would go without them,
for if We did not make Hafte, we (hould be too
kte to fee the Cudgel Match. With that thd
young Men afked where it was to be ? I told
them, that if they or any of their Acquaintance
had a Mind to fee the bed Cudgel Match that
ever was played by Men, we (hould come back
to this Place in about an Hour's Time, when
we (hall be glad of your Company, if any of*
yod have an Inclination to go. They faid^
they would go, if we would call. Then we
Went forward, but had not gone far before fome
of them faid, we hope you won*t forget to call
upon us. I told them, they might depend upon
it. When we came to the Bridge, there' was
juft going to be a Battle between two Men : I
ran in the midfl, and faid. Gentlemen, I would
have you forbear j for it is much better to make
op your Grievances without Blows. They
hearkened to me : but fonie of fhr Mob defired
to know, what Bufinefs I had with them ? I
took no Notice of their Words, but told the
Men, thofe were not their Friends who defired
them to fight in the Streets. With that they
put on their Clothes ; and I was glad to fee that
two or three of my Words had more Impreffion

F 2 on

1

HI

68 Tie Life and Adventures

on them than all that the reft could fay. Th»
Men defired that I would so into a Houfe and
drin!-. with them, and thanked me for my Ad-
vice. I faid to them, Gentlemen, I faw your
Inclinations were not for Hghting, only the,
Mob wanted Diverfion, of whicj) I was glad to
difappoint them ; as I have often feen, through
the Inftigation of other Men, and that fuch ^
Thing has been fatal. Therefore I would ad-
vife no Man to Hght in the Streets, left Death
(hould befal him ; which is often the Cafe where
there are fo many backward Friends toaflift them.
Then I faid to my Comrades, Come, we muft
think of going, or we (hall not be Time enough
to fee the Cudgel Match, that is to be betwixt
fix Sailors and fix others. And I told them, if
they had a Mind to go, we would call on theni
in about half an Hour; and if they knew of
any clever young Men, we might make a Bye-
Match, for I loved Diveriion, but hated Bar-
barity, which was not agreeable to my Con-
ftitution. They deiired me not to exceed my
Time, and they would wait till we came back,
and we will fend for two or three of our Ac-
quaintance, that will go along with us. We
parted, aud were very expeditious ; for we ran
over the other Part of the Town prefently. The
People, feeing us in fuch a Hurry, afked wha^
was the Matter ? We told them that we had a
Mina to fee all that Part of the Town, before
the Dlverfion at the other began. They want-,
ed to know what Diveriion 5 but I deiired they
would ftay till we returned, and we would in-
*,^ form

■>

^Matthew Bishop. 6g

fbrm them. As I defired, tfaey did ; and tar«
ried till we came back. By Chance I faw a
Parcel of our Men, and defired them to take
ho Notice of us, but go as &ft as they could to
the Field we had appointed, near the large Ale-
houfe we had drank at ; and when they came
there, to flrip ready, and when we came up, to
ieem very impatient that their Antagonifts were
not come to face them. They followed our
Diredtions, and we carried on the Intrigue with
great Dexterity. For our Parts, when we went
back, five and twenty young Men followed our
Company, and we were all in high Spirits, as
we pafled through the Streets j which occafion*-
ed us to increafe our Number ; and I faid as
we went along, Come, my Boys! the more the
merrier j which, caufed the whole Town to be
alarmed: So that I thought we fhould have
more than we could tell what to do with j and
I began to think that we muft be very artful,
to deceive fb many j which fet my Wits to work.
I was at a ftand for feme Time, to think of
Means for our Prefervation,which I had Reafon
enough for, being environed with fo many cle-
ver young Men • I was under no Apprehen-
fions of Fear in Regard to myfclf, but for my
Companions, as I had taken upon me to bear
them harmlds, if they would follow my Di-
re(ftions. So I had a great Charge upon me,
but not greater than I was able to difcharge.
When we came near to the Place appointed,
we perceived our Men and likewife fome others
along with them 5 they were ftript, and as ad:ive

F 3 . *»

i

I

7^p The Life and Advenfurei

^s ever I faw young Men, for thiey wpre p|:^^»
Jng with each other. When we canae to ^hepi» ,
they faid to us. Gentlemen, did you iee on thQ .
Road any Men coming to meet us? We re^
plied, that we neither faw nor heard of any.
Blefs me ! faid one of them, we have heeti
yraiting here this Hour, in Expedlatioii of their
Company : I am afraid they will difapppint us,
You need not he afraid of that, faid I ; if they
have promifed you, they will furely be as gooa
as their Words j if not, we (ball lofe the Diver-
fion that we came to fee, The Men faid to us,
Gentlemen, you (liall not lofe your Labour, for
if they don't come by half an Hour after Two,
it was agreed on to fpend ten' Shillings, which
they left for a Forfeit, and we left the &me,
which we will fpend freely, and of which,
Gentlemen, you are very welcome to partake.
Our Landlord has got a large Han) and But-
tock of Beef fluffed, which we (hall be glad to
entertain you with. I faid to the Company,
Gentlemen, as the young Men are fo civil as to
offer this Favour, we had beft to accept jt ; for
J am certain,, if a Man offers a Favour to any
' Ferfon, he had mu^h rather that they fhould.
receive than refufe it ; for receiving it (hews a
Regard to the Beftower? Therefore, Gentle-
- men, if you are willing, when the Time is ex-
pired, we will all go together ; and when the
Money is fpent we will be our Sixpence arpiece ;
For as we came here to be merry, the Peopl©
will laugh at us, if we go back otherwife ; they '
will fay, You have loft ygur Spirits, as weU

i.

^9

N^-

?

: ^Matthew Bishop* yt

as 3rour DiverHon 5 to prevent which you muft
do as I defire, and what they fay then will be
btit trifTing. Gentlemen, my Nature is not td
vex at Disappointments, for I am fenfible there
is nothing but Difappolntments in this World ;
therefore, as this prejuiHces no one, I would not
have you to be uneafy, and think your Time
fpent idly : But as we came here to f^eafe our
Eyes, do not let us go back without comforting
our Hearts ; and as we may be cheerful, I al-
ways prefer Mirth before any Thing elfe, and
I do not queftion but we (hall "be merry enough
before we part. They complied, and we went
into the Ale-houfe, but I gave my Men a Hint
not to admit any into our Company, but thof©
that were fit for our Purpofe, which they ob-
ferved. We were provided with Rooms to en-
tertain two Companies in, for as they came in,
two of oui Men flood ready to introduce them
in two Divifions. When we had almoft filled
our Rooms, two or three wanted K- 'ntrude in
going into what Rooms they thought proper,
which I perceiving, faid to thern., Gentlemen,
lam afliamedatyour Behaviou'', as the ^oang
Men are fo civil to treat yon, you abufe their
good Nature, by intruding on them in this Man-
ner ; therefore I would have you to go into the
other Room, and think yourfelves well dealt by ;
for you ought rather to thank them for their
Civilities, then to create a Clamour and Diftur-
banee,as you may be certain,every Man that gives
a Treat will chufe his own Company : Tliere-
fore they went into the Room very orderly,

F 4 . But

7 2 The Life and Adventures ,

But the poor Msn little thought that I belongs
ed to them , for had they imadned it, my
Words would not have made fuch an Impre^
fion on them*

Thus we had the good Fortune, to get all
thofe that were to our liking together; and it
gave me a great deal of Pleafure to fee diem all
S) well difpofed, and I began to think, that
with a little Difficulty we might bring them in-<^
to a Condition to do Buiine^. I ordered fome-p
thing for us to eat, and they brought the Buttock
of Beef and Ham,which I thought would not be
fufficient to fatisfy fuch a Number as we were,'
therefore I defired the Landlord to get us fome-
thing to relifh our Drink, and he brought us
fome cold Beef Stake Pye, and fbme Bacon and
Red Herrings, fo out of one Thing or other we
piade Shift to fatisfy them ; and then for the
Drinking, my Defire was to make the oppolitc
party happy in their Liquor, and preferve the
young Men, fo that they might be able to walk
^long with us ; and I accomplifhed my Deiign
in this Manner, I attended them with Liquor,
0nd got them almoft fuddled, and when their
Senfes were not fo brifk as ufual, I dalh'd their
Liquor with Brandy to pin the Bafket, which
I was not long about. After that was applied
they were clamorous for fome Time, but at
laft fell faft afleep ; And I began to think their
Appearance was like fo many dead Bodies. I
was very well pleafed that I had accomplifhed
fo great a Work, fo paying my Reckoning I
went \o the other Coippany, and told them that

I h^d

>

the
>oiitc

the
walk
efign
por,
their
their
hich

lied

It at

their

I

Ifhed

g I
that

mi

^ Matthew Bishop. 73

I had juft got all the others to Sleep. They were
aflonifhed, and thought it impoffible that I
fliould make them all fuddled, but to convince
them I dcfired they^ would go and fee. Two or
three went and came back faying, that there
they lay like fo many Pigs in a Stye. The
poor young Men little thought of our Con-
fpiracy againft them, neither did they know
that I belonged to our Men, but thought
that I lived at Dublin; wherefore I faid to them.
Gentlemen, I think we are highly obliged to
the Mariners for this Treat, but as they have ,
been fo civil, I think, we can do no leis than be
our Shilling a Piece before we go. They anfwer-
ed, we acknowledge their Civility has been more
than we could expedt, and will be any Thing
that they (hall defire. Then my Comrades re-
plied. Gentlemen, you will be all kindly wel-
come to as much more, if you will take part of
it. I faid to them, I think we will flay a little
longer, but I will not ftay to be benighted ; they
approved of it, and faid with all their Hearts,
and down we fat, and were exceeding mcrry^
when among other Difcourfe I told them that I
wanted to go to England, and that fometimcs
a Ship going that Way would not be againft
giving one a Lift. Some of the Men faid we
have often wiftied to fee England^ but never
could have an Opportunity of going thither, if
you can inquire when any Ship goes we (liall b© '
glad to go along v/ith you,for we like your Com-
pany and Converfation very well. I could not
help being pleafed to hear them exprefs them»

74 ^^ Life and Adventum

felves in that Manner, and faid to them, if you
are in eamefl. I will make idl the Enquiry I can ;
for if we have fair Weather we need not be
gone above three or four Days, and as it is a
Frolick, and we are all merry together, let us
all go together. I do not lovo to fatisfy all the
World of my Proceedings, but if you have all
a Mind to go along with me, I will bear your
Charges. They thanked me for my kind OHer,
and laid they would not refufe it.

I thought the young Men were very affable
in complying with every Thing that I propofcd,
and thought myfelf blefl above all Mankind to
be able to make myfelf fo agreeable to every bo«
dy ; and could not help thinking, that I had
the moft Luck of any Man in Life in fiicceed-
ing in all my Enterprifes for her Majefty's Ser-
notwithflanditig I had the lead of any

vice

Body in Undertakings that were for myfelf.
except it was Providence that guided me, which
was my only Diredlor and Support. I faid to
the young Men, it is poflible thefe Gentlemen
Mariners may know of feme Ship that is going
that Way very foon. My Comrades replied, Gen-
tlemen, as foon as the Wind is fair, we (hall
fail for Holyhead, and we do not queftion but
that if you have a Mind to go, our Captain
will not refuu: Jrou your PafTage ; but it is un^
cectain when we ihall fet fail, therefore, if you
have a Mind to walk along with us, I believe
you may be certain of your PafTage, They were
in a Confternation for fome Time, when I faid,
I defire you will detertxiine at once, what you

have

lemen
[going
Gen-
(hall
b but
iptain
is un^
you
ilievc
were
faid,
|t you
have

^Matthew Bmjqp. 75

l\zvp^ Mu^4 P 4o» ^cl I will bjQ ready ^ wait
on yoi^, ^nd tf^ke C^p that you Ai^U w^at for
nptoing in your f afTage, fo Gentlqiien, it only
deppnd$ upo^ your Refolution, to fay Yca> or
I^ay. They repli^l, they would go. Well, iaid I,
iince your Refbbtious are to go, I will give you
iny Word and Honoi^ to taKe case of you. I
thought it was right tp take them at their Words»
left their Minds {hould alter ; fo we paid our
Reckoning, and went away immediately. I
wa^ in high Spirits to think that I had accom-
pliihed this Operation, which Thoufands would
have thought morally impoffible to do, as I had
done, and but few would have invented fuch
Stratagems as I did, but I always thought that
I could not do enough for the good of my Queen
and Country ; and as my Thoughts were fo
well inclined, nothing was a Fatigue to me, but
as the Scripture faith, my Toke was eafy^ and
Burthen was light. And I was always ready by
my Example, and otherwife, to reform the Po-
pulace from a bad Inclination to a loyal one. '

When we came on board of our Ship, I de-
flred our Men not to take Notice that I belong-
ed to them, *till I had accompliftied my De-
fign J when I faid to the young Men 1 think 't
will be proper to go to the Captain and afk him
whether he is willing to give ue our Paffage :
They agreed to leave it to me, jto do as I thought
proper. I went to the Captain and faid, Sir,
I liave brought you five and twenty Paffengers,
who all came with an Jntent to go with me to
England^ they little think that I am a Mariner,

there-

/

lECK'j

4:>ji:fv

I

k -.

76 T}>e Life and Adventures

therefore they have been very compilable to e-
very Thing that I have propoied hitherto; and
I don't queftion but that if your Honour wilT
be fo kind as to favour me with your Company,
and fpeak to me as if I was one of them, but
yoi:^ will bring them by Degrees all to be Volun-
tiers, which I think is much better than to fur-
prife them at once; otherwife they will always
Dear nie a Gmd^e, and fay, that I have adied
fophiflically with them. But Sir, I hope you
^ill not give them that Provocation, and this is
the only Way to prevent itj and I (hall be bound
to pray for you, if you will be pleafed to grant
my Requeft. The Captain was very well plcaC-
ed,and iaid, Bijhop^ I will do any Thing that is in
my Power to ferveyou,and you may depend upon
my coming amongft you in order to make every
Tning eafy. I returned him a thoufand Thanks
for his Civilities, and it was not long before he
came to vifit us. The firft Thing he faid was,
young Men, where are you bound for? I
anfwered, Sir, we came along with your Men,
in order for to go to England-, for thefe young
Men have a great Fancy, but never had an Op-
portunity to go till now, therefore we (hall be
nigbly obliged to your Honour for our Paifage.
He replied, you are all welcome to your Pa(rage,
but I would not advife you to go, for you will
all certainly be pre(red into the Land Service if
you go there, ror there is a very hot Prefs all
over England, becaufc they want Men in Flan"
den : Though if you have a Mind to hazard
yourfclves, I will conduct you fafe, but am cer-
tain

/

age.

age,
will
ce if
sail
Ian"
zard
cer-
tain

a/* Matthew Bishop 77

tarn it will, prove as I fp.y. Therefore if your
Inclinations do not lead yoi: to ferve the Queen
by Land, I would have you all to determine
and ferve her by Sea. The young Men were
feemingly under great Concern, when J faid to
them, well, what (hall we do? As the noble
Captain has given us our Choice do not let us
be caft down, but as we came in a Frolick let
us fupport it by going along with the Captain; I
hope you are not under any Apprehenfions of
Danger, if you are, you need not, for I
do not think there is fo much as People make
for, therefore let us all be of one Mind, either
to go or to continue with the Captain : For
my Part, make it agreeable to yourfelves, it
will be agreeable to me. Then they pulled up
Courage and laid they would go along with the
Captain ; I was very glad to find them as con-
formaUe now as before, and the Captain was in
Raptures to fee them fo well inclined, and that I
had accomplifhed myDefign. T|ien he defired me
to go with him into his Cabin, where he faid to
me, Bijhop^ thou art the greateft Artiil that
ever was born, for to unitefucha Body of Men
asthefe are. I cannot conceive your Genius.
For it is miraculous and unconceiveable how you
fhould g^t fo many Mern, and the Lieutenant
and Mate fo few. Sir, faid I, that I have no-
thing to do with, but whenever I am fept up-
on any Expedition, I always think it my Duty
to do to theutmoftof my Ability, and nothing
could refrain me from adling j otherwife I
ihpuld not be able to anfwer Iqx my Condud:.

and

:1

i

78 77)6 Lift and Adventures

and aflian^ed to look you m the Face; but I can
give you an aocotint of all my Proceed!. jgs dcrr^
ing my Service, and you are not unacauairited
veith fome of them, which you hav6 judicioufly
obferved. He then faid, you muil have fome^
thing for the young Men to make merry with,
and gave me two Gallons of Brandy, faying, if
that is not enough you fhall have more, and
Bijkop, for your Part you (hall never want for
any Thing while you are with me, and I fhall
always refpe6t you for what you have done, >
I would have the World think it is no fmall
Thing to have the Commanders good Word ;
for a Captain is like a King at Sea, and his Au-
thority is over all that are in his Pofieilion*
Therefore I wou!d have all the Sailors to bemind-
ftil of their Duty, and that will be a Means t6,
gain their Commander's good Word. I took
kave cif the Captain, and went with the two
Gallons of Brandy to the young Men, and faid,
fee here, my Boys, how good the noble Captain
has been to us already, to give us this Brandy
to make merry with. At the Sight of the Liquor
they all began to revive, and drank to fuch an
Excefs as drown'd all Apprehenfions of Fear or
Danger : And they never after difliked a Mari-
ner's Life, nor feemed to vex at their coming, '
but when the Morning appeared they were a$
merry as ever vvithout the leafl Concern. Nor
was there any Refledion thrown on any one,
though it was through my Infligation. When
the Captain gbt up he was glad to find us all
in fuch high Spirits, and afked us how we liked

our

©/* Matthew Bishop. 79

our Liquor ? We returned him Thanks, that
we liked it extremely well, and it enlivened our
Hearts to fuch a Degree, that we were capable
of any Thing. The Captain then gave Orders
for the young Men to obferve how the Sailors
did every Thing, and to learn their Bufinefs :
They were very dijigent, and in a fhort Time
were good Srllors; much bettc than thofe that
the Lieutenant and Mate go* *t of Hoys and
Boats, for the greateft Part c ^ were ftub-
born obftinate Men, thinkini . e fo wife as
themfelves, which I obferved to be tne Nature
of thofe ibrt of Men, and that there is no break-
ing of them. Therefore I aver, that there is
more Profpedt of a good Sailor from a Country-
man, than from a Waterman, that pretends to
know more thai) his Teachers. Which I always
found to be a juft/Obfervation, but leave fuch
as have a Mind to difpute it.

We weighed and were ordered to Holyhead^
were we ilaid but a fliort Time, before we put
to Sea again. We had not gone far before it
blew exceeding hard, fo that the Mafter thought
proper to run her very much to Windward and
on the Lee iide we might have gone up to our
Knees in Water. She had very high comings to
the Hatches. Then there was a Signal to ftand to
the Lee Sheet, and the Wind being partly in
our Teeth made it a long Sail to Plymouth, We
put into Hamouze^ where the Ship being ordered
to be clean'd, I thought there was no more Bu-r
linefs for me at Sea, therefore took the firft Op-
portunity to fpeak to the. Captain, which I did

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23 WEST MAIM STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 1 4580

(716) 872-4503

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86 'itie Life and Advemure$

in this Manner. Sir, I have a Favour to 6%
which if yoa will bg pleafed to grant, will high-
ly oblige me. You know. Sir, my Behaviour
hithertb, but if you pleafe to give me leave I
will inform you of my Inclinations. Sir, I am
of a roving Nature; and ever iince I hcArd of
theAdion that was performed on the Danube
by the Duke of Marlborough^ I promifed to
myfelf, in God's Name, that if notmng prevent-
ed I would go and ailift the Duke, for lb noUo
a General cannot have too many good Men;
and as my Inclinations are already with him I
hope your Honour will not deny me: There
have been many Inftances that our Enemies De-
feat has been owing to the Succefs of one Blow,
and it may be iny Formne to ftrike that lucky
Blow ; and if you pleafe to releaie me I am de-
termined to (land to all Events, for I find then
will be nothing more done at Sea, and I wiU
go where I can be employed ; for I have no o-
ther Defire but to be of Service to my Queen
and Country, and have no Ambition but to car-
ry Arms, io that I may call myfelf a Man of
War and an Arms Bearer. This is all I defire,
except Fortune favours me with fbmething, I
will never purchafe any Thing, and as Providence
has ordered it, hitherto I have been aVi6:or,
and do not queflion but I fhall remain fo.
Therefore, Sir, with your leave I will drink Suc-
ce&to her Majefly's Arms by Sea and Land.
The Captain, replied, Bi/hop^ I cannot part
from you fb eafily as from my Liquor; for
when that is gon^ I can get more, but when you

.■»

axe

no o-
Jueen
)car-
anof
iefire,

ng, I
dence
i^or,
fo.
Suc-
and.

yoa'
axe

©/"MATtHEW BiSHdP. 8t

are gone I (hall never get fuch another. Yet I
cannot well refufe you, and iince we mufl part^
pray God profper all your Intentions ; for I don't
know any one in the Army that deferves my
Prayers preferable to yourfelf. Sir, faid I, I re-
turn your Honour Thanks for all your Civilities
to me, and hope that your Honour may find
thoufands and ten thoufands as good Men as
myfelf, or elfe we (hall be at a very great Lois
if the War continues; as there is no othet
likely hood but it will by Land. He left me
and I believe the Gentleman had a great Re-
gard for me: For he often faid he would do
fomething for me the firft Opportunity. But
at that Time I had no Thoughts of Preferment,
and only a flrong Defire to humble our Enemies,
which was all my Ambition aimed at. And what
is more commendable than to face our Enemies
like Lions, which ftrikes fuch a Terror as ren^
ders them unfit to hold up a Mufket againfll
us, and their Spirits to fail them fo much that
they are like Men Itruck with a Palfey ? Oh !
Britain^ it is all owing to thy Fame, and thy
Name I will always help to fupport.

CHAP. VIIL

^e Author leaves the S^a Service: Marries d
Wife: Settles his Family AffairSy and refohes
to try the Land Service.

IT was not long before the Captain cam6
again to me, and faid, Bifiopy as you are
determined to leave this Service, when do yoii

Q intend

82 Tie Life and Adventures

intend to enter into the Land Service? Sir, £ii4
I, as foon as your Honour is pleafed to give me
my Difcharge, I intend to go fee my Friends
and Relations, and then leave them again to
condole for me, when I ftiall enter myfelf in
the Land Service : For it is my Refolution that
nothing {hall reftrain me from ading in every
Particular as I have informed your Honour.
Bifhop, replied he, I don't doubt your Sincerity
in the leaA, for I am fenfible that it is not in
your Nature to do an ill Thing; therefore I will
give you your Difcharge, and you may go as
foon as you pleafe. Sir, faid I, I return your
Honour a thoufand Thanks, I vfiW jufl take
leave of my Comrades, and then I purpofe to
go in God's Name : For hitherto I have had
my Protedion from him, and may it be his
blefled Will ever to remain with me; for
through him we gain the Vidory, and without
him we are not able to think a good Thought.
Bifiop'y faid he, it is very right, we are uncapa-
ble of doing any thing that is good without bis
Afliftance. >

We parted and I went to take Leave of all
belonging to the Ship. They were extremely for-
ty to find I was going to leave them ; particu-
larly the two poor Men whole Lives I was fo
inftrumental in favin^, wb ^ they had the Ac-
cident to fall into the Sea; ;y remembered it
and cried exceffively, and faid there is not a
Man in the World we have fuch a Regard fqr
as you. I gave them fome fmall Acknowledg-
ment, and left them with Tears in their Eyes.

2 1 fet

^f Matthew Bishop* 8^

1 fct out plcafing myfelf with the Thoughts of
being able to give my Friends an^* Relations an
Account of my Adventures, and how I fhould
furprife them at my Appearance, as they had
not feen me for feven Years. I might have feen
them fooner but I was apprehenfive that they
inight poflibly detain me by their Perfu&iions*
Therefore,! thought proper only to write to them,
and as I had difobeyed my Parents at my firfl
fetting out, I thought it prudent not to be too of-
ten guilty of the fame Fault. Therefore,they were
obliged to be contented with my Abfence^
though they thought it hard as I was their only
Son ; and fo much the more, as there was a
little Eflate depending, that after our Deceafe
would go into another Family. My Father
often implored me, but nothing would reflrain
fne.from a£ting according to my own Inclina-
tions. Therefore I left him to deplorie for me,
which I found he did ; for when I came to my -
Mother, (he told me it had been the Occafion
of his Death. As I found this was through my
Proceedings, it put me in great Torture, when
I came to refledt with myfelf, that he (hould be
the only one to whom I rendered Ingratitude
for Love. And it put me very much out of
order to think, that I fhould be kind to all the
World and ncgledl my dear Father*

When I grew better I informed my Mother,
that I had an Inclination to go fee my Uncle in
Kent', though I had other Reafons: For I had
an old Sweetheart at Chatham whom I wanted to
ice. My Mother was very unwilling to part

G 2 with

84 755^ Life and Adventures

with me fo foon, and faid to me, my dear Child
I thought you was come to continue with me ;
for I have no Pleafure in the World now your
Father is dead ; therefore I propofed to have
fome in you, as you are come home alive, but
I find you will bereave me of all. Her tender
Expreffions and the word Father cut me to the
Heart, and no one can imagine the Torture I en-
dured. It was then I found that I was of two
Natures, having degenerated from a Heart like
a Lion to a melting Heart. I drove to hide
my Grief from my Mother by going into Kent^
and fhe (bed thoufands of Tears for me at part-
ing ; but I comforted her as well as I could
by telling her I (hould return in a Week or
Fortnight's Time. When I had taken Leave of
her I made the beft of my Way to Chatham^
and between Pleafure and Pain I fcarce felt the
Ground I walked on ; for I was but two Days
in going from Deddington in Oxford/hire^ to
Chatham in Kent, I had a great regard for the
Perfon whom I made my Wife in a Day or two
after my Arrival there. Therefore, as (he^ pot-
fefled'one part of my Heart and Grief the other,
I was fo fupported that I was not in the leaft
Leg-weary ; and as I thought it was moft pru-
dent to overcome Grief with Pleafure, I think
that I took the propereft Method of any in the
World by taking a Wife ; but there was not a
little Vexation attended it, as you (hall hear.

I married Sarah Dickers Daughter to John
DzV^dTjjWho was brought up by her Grandfather
James Jackman^ (he was a Woman that was

very

^ Matthew Bishop. 85

very well educated, and I had a Fortune with
her Citable to her Education : She had feveral
other good Perfedtions, and her Converfation and
good Nature were amiable,and (he had mySoul's
AfFedion. And I think (he was endued with
a Gift more than any of her Sex, which was
Patience; therefore I thought myfelf bkffcd
above all Mankind in a Wife, for there was
not a Spot nor a Blemi(h in her that I could
perceive. We had been married but two Days
before the Grandfather heard of it: Then he
fell into a great Rage, and faid to my Wife, as
(he told me, fo Madam you are married, are ye ?
and be d — d. Well you (hall continue no
longer under my Roof, with that he pufhed
her out of Doors. She came crying to me, and
faid, (he thought her Grandfather would go mad
about it; and that (lie did not think he could
be guilty of fuch Animofity, for (he always
thought him to be a good natured Man.; fof
when he returned from walking he alwaya
a(ked for his dear Child with much Tendernefs ::
but I found that he was changed from Clemency
to be full of Clamour. Therefore I told my
Wife I would confider againft next Morning
how to proceed; I had but little Sleep all Night,
and as foon as Day break I thought proper ta
have feme Difcourfe with my Wife, We talk-
ed the Matter over for about three Hours, and
at lafl agreed to go together to the old Man;
and to behave in as humble a Manner as pofiibly
we could. When we came thither my Wife
fell down 00 her Knees and faid, pray dear

G -i Crm^

\l

l|fi 7%^ Life and Advinfures

Grand Papa forgive me, but diis is my HoAand;
The old Man loolced with Eniberance of Spittt
in his Face. I fatd to him, Sir, with humble
Submiiiion, I beg you will hear me, I mean to
do nothing but with Honour and Juftke to all
the World, and as I am married to your Grand-
daughter I am bound in Juftice to take cate of
her, and there is a Duty incumbent on me with
regard to you, which I {hall always obferve,
Sir, I flatter no Man, neither will I deqeive any
Man or Woman in the World by fabulous Sto^-
ries, but all my Proceedings will be Fads, and
you will find me a trae Friend to her : Therc-r
fore, if you did purpofe any Favours I beg they
niay be no farther off. As I obferved before, I
faw his PaiTion broiling in him with Exuberance
of Spite, and he exprefled himfelf in iitch a
Manner, as would have made any one tremble
to hear fuch Expreflions come out of an old
Man's Mouth. He fwore by all that was Good
he would deflroy us both ; and in a violent Rage
ran into the Parlour. I apprehended he had
fomething more in his Head than was good and
ran after him, when he had juft charged a Gun
with a brace of Balls, and had primed it And
jufl as I appeared was going to fire at me -, but
I was ad^ive and jumped upon him, took it out
of his Hand and preferved my Life and his too,
1 had a great Notion that fomebody had pre-
pofleffed him with feme falfe Afperfionc of me,
Therefore I faid to him, Sir, this is not through
your own Nature, but through the Inftigation of
. pthers, that have put you in this Paffion, and
- -. , J hope

^ Matthew Bishop. 87

I hopt yoa wiH ftrive to quench thofe Flames
that are borning in yoMv Bread, and not give
way to thofe that will deceive you. How could
you propoieto lift up Amis againft a Man whofe
Profeffion it has been thefe feven Years fuccef-
fivdy? Were it in feme Men's Power they
would bereave you of your Life; but I take no
Advantage of any Man, and though you was
guilty of Inhumanity I fhali not be guilty of
the fame. But I will maintain my Right, and
beg yon will (it down while my Wife and your
Servant fetches all the Things that belong to her
down into this Room, and nothing more. But
every Thing that is hers I infift on. Therefore
my Dear, be not guilty of any Injuftice, by
taking any Thing more than what you can
juftly call your own ; for though he has ailed
barbaroufly by me, I defire nothing more than
to do him Juftice 5 and am forry I am obliged
to exert myfelf in this Manner to the old Man,
though I am drove to it for my own Preferva-?
tion and Safety.

When my Wife had brought down all her
^Things according to my Defire, I took an 1;:-
ventory of them and laid them all before the
old Man, that he might fee there was nothing
but what was hers. I opened a Scrutore and
found fome Writings; I jufl looked at them and
found that* they were right. I could not help
fmiling, and faid to the old Man, Sir, I find
my Wife has received (bme Favours from you^
^•which I acknowledge is very confiderable, and I
will do my Endeavour to make fome Returns of

Q 4 Cratitud^j^

88 Tie Life and Alventurei

Gratitude, if you think I am defervtng and ufe
ipe as fuch, otherwife the Obligation is void, an4x
I do not think I am obliged to you in the lead, ,}
becaufe you think me unworthy of the Blefling
of God Almighty, even of that which is as dean^
to me as my own Soul. He was not fatisfied,
but Bed in a violent Rage, and faid he would,
be the Death of us if ever we entred his Gates
again. Therefore I thought it prudent to ftay,
and fecure all that belonged to us, while we
might : For I found the Thoughts of Money: ,
cut him to th^ Heart, When we had done
every Thing eficdhjally, I faid to the old Man, . ;
Sir^ I hape you won* t grudge me what I have got/,
<is I have ventured my own Ufe tQ preferve yours \
iind if you pleafe to refieSi^ you will find I am de-
ferving of every individual Thing, Though \
treated him fo gently, yet his unruly Spirit
could not get the better of his Paflion 5 fo I wag
obliged to leave him in Flames, Before we
parted he was for having the Gun again; but
I told him, Sir^ as for the Gun, I purpofe tq
heep it ; to try whether I cannot gu^rd my fVife
and Money better than you did* This irritated
}iim to fuch a Degree, I thought he would have
gone mad, However I received it all as calm
as a Lamb, thinking by that Means to pacify
.Jiim. But as I found nothing would do, J
thought it beft to leave him to himfelf, and the
Words we fpoke at parting were prettily made
out by my Wife^ I faid, This is a mournful
, farting Day. She, fare wel Grand Papa y IJ'ay^.
VVhich was all was laid at parting, ■

of Kf AttfetW BisMo?. ' 89

The old Man bore a condnnal Hatred to me,
ajid I became his utter Averfion. I obferved
that the Nature of Mankind is almoft like a
FKh. As they fwaliow the Bait with fuch Ea-
g^mefs, as to be glad to difgorge it aggin \ (b
Men will run to Excefs till they find tm Eflfedfc
of their Paflion, and then would be glad to be
compilable. Though it often proves their Ruin
before they are aware of the Event, as it cer-
tainly would have been of him, had not I had
the Courage to difarm him to prevent the Effeds
of his Ire. And if he were to refledt, I do
not queftion but he would thankfully acknow-
lege it. But inflead thereof, at the time he grew
more inveterate againfl me. Not that I went
near him : For I only enquired of his Neigh-
bours, and could not help pleating myfelf with
the Thoughts of what a Change there would be
in him, when my Uncle and he (hould come
together ; as I was feniible after fome Conference
together, all Grievances would be made up, he
would draw in his Horns, and be a(hamed of
his Proceedings. But by concealing this in my
own Breaft, 1 terrified the old Man, and found
out his Nature and Difpolition, which were
yery extraordinary. For he made a (hocking
Appearance when in thofe Flames of Paflion,
and I have often faid, could a Man but fee him-
felf at that Timp he never would be guilty of
the like again.

Though he envied me fo much, yet nothing
could induce me to make myfelf known.
Though my Wife was very uneafy, fearing that

z he

^o 755^ Life and AdveMures

he would take foine Opportunity to do tolt a
private Mifchief. Therefoit (he faid to xHt^
my Dear, / mjh you would contrive fame JVaj
to make him eafy. I replied, myDearCbild^ 1
beg of you not to make yourfelf uneajy, for it is
not in my Power at prefent. But I hope in a
little ^ime to be able to bring things to bear, /
will do to the utmoft of my Ability, and do not
quejiion but to efiablijh Union, Peace, and Con^
cord between us ; though I hve to fee a Manfooeat
bis Paffim out before I execute my Defign, and
you are Jenfible he has been guilty of a great many
Execrations on my account ; but I am certain
you will find a great Change in him for the better,
when I have accomplijhed my Defign, As I aU
ways had a good Heart and my Intentions were
good, I never feared Succejs in any of my IJtider^
takings. For that Man or Woman is not born,
that I cannot make myjelf agreeable to by fome
Means or other; and inftead of this Exuberancy
of Spite againft me he will be Jlruck with Ex-
tafy and Raptures, My Wife faid, Jhejhould be
glad to fee it, for Jhe believed it was in no one*s
Power to turn his Heart, to. one that he had once
taken Antipathy againjl: For he was ohfiinate
in his own Opinion, and thought none fo wife as
himfelf My Dear, faid I, I find by your Talk,
that he has not one good Salification belonging to
him, and though he has not I am not ajraid oj
accompUPnng my Defign; for the greater his
Cruelty the greater my Merit will be, and then
J may fay to myfelf there is nothing impojjible for
Man where there is AJjiftance from God. And
7^'- ■ I piay

pay

^Matthew Bisho1>. 91

I miy very well ikv it now, as I have waded
through a tnttltkude of DifHculties though I
found nothing imprsdUcables therefore I will
lay with dieScriptttfe, " As the Lord is on my
'* Side, I need not fiear what Man can do unto
** me." For thoa^ they may be artful in lay-
ing Plots and Scheikm, yet nothing will filcceed
without the providential Power of Ood. And
I hope no one will conttadid me in this ; for if
they (hould they muft be under a Cloud of
Darknefs, whicn is often the Cafe where Ob-
ftinacy and Ignorance meet together. When
) had made the(e Refledlions, my Wife obferved
to me thus : My Dear, / bcfe you will excu/e
me, hut I am very impatient to know bow you
fropofe to bring yourfeif into bis Favour? I am
afraid you will find it a bard ^Tajk as be is Jo
moroje. My Dear, I replied, / tbank your
Sincerity t but I do not doubt Succefs in tbe leafl.
But you mufi excufe my begging of you never to
he impatient to know my Afairs, tillltbink pro-
per to make them known to you. Ncvcrthelefs
(he continued in the fame Dirpo(ition,continualIy
urging me to tell her, till I pofitively informed
her that I would not ; and as (he knew me to
be a Man of my Word, (he defifted importun-
ing me. As 1 found my Anfwer gave her a
great deal of Difpleafure, and I was inwardly
grieved to fee her vex at it ; I could not help fay-
ing to her. My Dear, / cannot help not telling
you for my IVord's fake ^and you may remember that
I have kept it in every Thing I have profofcd to
you. She faid, / ackm^inledge it^ and that you

have

^t Tie Life and Adventures

have aSied Jlncerely in every ReJpeSi, But as
for this I did not think it material, for had I
apprehended that it would in the leaft have offenif
ed yoUy I would not have defired to have known
any of your Secrets upon any Confideration what'
foever, and therefore beg your Pardon, Herfoft
Expreflions ravifh'd my Soul, and gave me a
great Idea of Happinefs in her; but I could not
in Honour break my former Refolutions, al*
though I had fuch a Profpedl of Happinefs be-^
fore my Eyes as would have been inevitable, had
I been bleifed vvith a Continuance with her. I
then began to refled with myfelf in this Manner.
What is Man if he does not fland to his Refo^
lutions? Ev^n he is no Man if he does not ful-
fill his own Piopofals, let the Event be what it
"will, and leave the Darling of his Heart, and
all that is dear to him in this World to help to
fupport a good Caufe, even this juft and necef-
fary War. I had thefe Refledtions in the Pre-
fence of my Wife, but concealed them ; for flic
little thought of my Intentions, neither can any
one exprefs the Pain I endured at the Thoughts
of leaving my Comforter. Thefe Thoughts
were daily revived till I got the better of my
Paffion, when I thought St to reveal it to my
Wife. But before that, I did my Endeavour
to make things eafy with regard to the old Man,
which I brought about in this Manner : I fent
the following Letter to my Uncle, ^

SIR,

■■*i

^Mat;thew Bishop 93
SIR,

I AM married to a Grand-Daughter of Mr.
Jakeman^ which has created a grtat deal
of Contention, through the want of a Know-
ledge of me, as I am a Man that does not love
to make myfelf known to the World: But as
I find it is neceifary in an Affair of fb weighty a
Concern, that they (hould have fome Know-
ledge of me, I therefore pitch upon you, to
concert with the old Man ; as I know you are
one of his Particulars, and have more Influence
over him than any one I know : Therefore, I
think you are the only Perfon to make up Grie-
vances, which often arifes between us. As Nc-
ceflity obliges me to inform you of it, I hope
you will admit it indifpenfable; for I ihall be
ibrry to be difappointcd, though I was always
confident you would never deceive me, and this
will be a greater Obligation than ever, which,
as is my Duty, I (hall ever acknowledge, with
the Returns of Friendfhip as in Duty bound.

From your afiedionate Nephew,
f*' Matthew Bipiop.

P. S, I beg you will not take Notice of what
I have obferved to you when you fee him,
though when you have fpoke in favour of me,
and have had Ibme Confabulation with him, you
may, if you think proper, defire to fee me, and
then you muft own me in Courfe, though in
great Surprife. And as I do not doubt but the
old Man will acquaint you With all his Pro-
ceedings,

94 ^ hife and ^dfuentures

ceedings, I am fure you will be under great
Concern at them, and will fay he has adted with
Inhumanity. As I have wad^ through Fire
sin4 Water |o ferve my Q^^ and Country,
and whei^ I come home to make me Amende,
he puts my Life in Dang^, it (hocks me to
think of his Ingratitude; but fince it is ib I will
fulfil my Refdutions, and go plant myfelf once
more before my Enemies.

When I had fent tbis'Letter to my Uncle, I
could not help being very uneafy to lee or bear
from him; therefore I went and walked along
the Road on purpofe to meet him : But was
full of perplexing Thoughts fearing the Letter
might miicarry. As I was in this Confternatioa
he came galloping along. I was very glad to
fee him and told him I began to be very im-
patient. He aiTured me that as foon as ever he
received my Letter he made all the Hade poffible,
j^nd was as impatient as I was, knowing the old
Man to be of a very odd Temper, and fearing he
might do me a Mifchief by fbme Means or o-
ther. Therefore to prevent farther Difputes,
he made all the hafte pofUbly he could for my
Prefervation. I thought it my Duty to render
him Thanks for his being fo expeditious. He
told me he would readily go a thoufand Miles
to ferve me for my Father's fake, for he had
more regard for him than for any Man in the
World, and for whofe Sake he (hould always
refpeit me, Befides he was glad to hear I was
married to a Woman of fuch Accomplilhments,

and.

lutes,
my

Inder
He
iles
had
the
rays

I was
^nts,
ind^

of Mat ^ HTE w B i s h o K 9 5

^, faid he, I Relieve the old Man has fettled
fimething on her. befides what her Father left
befy which mil a very conjiderahle Fortune^
and with the E/iate your Father left you at bis
Death, you may H've as hafpy as a King. There^
fore I would have you he conformable , and not
think of any more FrolickSy as you have been Jo
lucky as to fcape all Dangers you have been in\
but thinky that as Providence has protested you
hithertOy if you are obftinatey and run wilfully
into the Jaws of Deathy you mujl not expeSi to
efcape. And pray Coufoiy as the Almighty has
been fi favourable y do not prefs too much upon his
GoodnefSy leji by fo doing you Jhould offend him,
and conjidery that as he is the only Arm of De-
fence in IVaTy that if he does not give a Blejjing
to your UndertakingSy you muJl expeSi to fall as
you hmjefeen Thou/a fids.

To this Difcourfe of his, I replied, Sir, Ire-
turn you a thou/and I'hanksy for the tender re-
gard tfnd you have for me ; but as Gods prOf
vidential Power has been over me hithertOy I
never will dejpair of his Goodnefs : As he has con-
duBed me and brought me through FirCy Swordy
and Famine y from 'tempeftuous Storms and the
raging of the Seas, after all this Goodnefs y Jhall I
fay I have done enough ? No, it behoves me to aSi
to the utmofi of my Ability y to help to fupport a
good Caufe. And as he has led me along with a
fatherly Handy why JJjould I reUnquiJh his Bene^
volence? Noy that is not my Nature y for his
Goodnefs 1 will return 7ny Be?2edi6Iion^ and do
what I am abky till the Almighty think Jit to make

an

-
!

n

I

r

i

96 Tie Life and Adventures

an Alteration, I may be infirumental in the
preferring of Thoufands -, while I am thus in^
dined, why fhould any one endeavour to turn my
Heart f But I defy all the World to do it as it is
fojledfaftlyfixt, Coufin^ replied he, I find you
are the fame Man as ever^ and have as great
Refolution-, Iwijh it hadheenfixdonfomething
more agreeable to your Friends, But fince it is
otherwife we muji be contented. Sir, faid I, /
will declare my Sentiments freely to you, but hope
you will not reveal them. My Inclination is
fully bent on going to Flanders, asfoon as the old
Man is pacified, and every 7'hing is fettled, and
then Ipurpqfe to leave all my Income between my
Wife and Mother, which will make them very
happy in my Abfence ; for 1 cannot fettle while
there is any Thing to be done abroad. Hhe T!hought$
of it are never out of my Head Day or Night;
which makes me unfit for any T'hing elfe, There*
fore I think it bejl to be where my Thoughts are,
lam the more impatient to have this Affair fet"
tied becaufe I am lofing Time; therefore beg it
may be made an End of this Day ifpqffible. Dear
Coufin, faid he, fince you are determined to go I
will endeavour all that I can to bring the old
Man to comply with what may beagreeM to you
and your Wife, Sir, I replied, Idefire nothing
more than to have Union amongft us 5 //'// then I
cannot reft, neither can I leave tkem at Variance ;
but I beg you will not let any one know my In-
tentions, till I have accompli jBd all my Defignsy
which when I have executed I care not who
knows them. He told me, he would take all

the

nce-y

'^.Matthew Bishop. 97

the Care poflible. <Sf/>, I replied, / do not doubt
y(^ Carey but Mankind cannot be too cautious^
where fuch a crofS'grain*d Piece of Stuff is con-
cerned', therefore one jhould ponder 'with inward
ConfultationSy to be able to weigh him to a Hair,
and as I amjenfible you can do it to a 'Nicety y I
rely entirely on you. We had all this Difcourie
on the Road, which gave me muchSatisfadtion.
We parted; he went diredlly to the old Man,
and I home to my Wife, very well pleafed
with the Thoughts that my Adventures might
turn out .to Advantage; but more, with the
Thoughts of taking, my Pleafure abroad, which
was the 1 hing I wanted. My Wife perceived
that I was lifted up, and much delighted with
fomething; and faid to me. My Dear, I am
^ad to fee you infuch Spirits^ and find fomething
has pleafed you fince you have been out, I faid
to her, if any one afks for me I will fee them',
therefore defireyou not to deny mey J or lexpedi a
Gentleman this Day to call on me, and through
him lam in Hopes of making up the Difference
that is between the old Man and us, which, my
Dear, I am fenfible you will be pleafed with ;
therefore you Jhall drink a Bumper of Wine to
our good Succefs. Hoough I do not ^eftion it,
iaid 5ie, yet I fear I Jhall not find it Jo eafy as
you imagine. But Jhe was very well pleafed.
When we had dined and drank our Glafs, a
Meifengef: came from the old Man's, and faid
to me. Sir, there is a Gentleman with my Mafter
defires to fee you at our Houfe. I faid to him.
Pray give my Service to the Gentleman, and de-

H fire

I;

I !

i.

;i:

I'

i

98 Tie Life and Adventures

fin him to excufe me coming there ; as your Ma'-
Jler has for bidden me ever coming under bis Roof
1 thank it will not be prudent to he forbidden a
fecond Time ; but Jhall be glad to fee the Gentle^
man here or where he Jhall appoint elfCy but there^
tell him I pofitively cannot come. The Servant
went Home and delivered his Meflage vpry
pundually, and was not long before he returned
>vith the Gendenian with him. In the mean
Time \ told my Wife, I thought it would be
much better to be ieemingly backward of go-
ing; for otherwife the old Man would think I
kuew of his coming. While my Wife and I
were difcourfing, the Servant brought my Uncle
to the Door. And as the Servant came along
with him, I thought it would be right to ieein
fomewhat furprifed. There^e faid, it is my
LFncle! O Uncle! I am oveijoyed to &e you,
how came you in this part of the World? Wnich
the.Servant hearing ran home to his Mailer, and
told him. In the mean while my Uncle told
me whatiiad paffed between them, which was
as follows. ' As foon, faid he, as I entred the
^ Houfe the old Man faid, Mr. NicholiSy I am

* heartily glad to fee you, I thought I fhould

* never have the Pleafure of feeing you more*

* Sir, faid I, I hope you are well, and Mils

* your Grand-daughter, where is fhe pray?*

* Oh! Mr. NichoUs, it is not much matter where

* (he is, for fhe has turned out a very undutiful

* Child ; after fo much Trouble as I have had

* in giving her Education to make her a com-
- plete Gentlewoman, after all, ihe has been

< (a

com-
been

* fo

^Matthew Bishop, 99

* £) utigrateful, as to throw herfdf away upon

* the Lord knows who. Had I not done what
' I have and cannot recal it, it would not have

* vexed me 5 but the Thoughts of throwing 500/.

* away, I believe i fhall run diftra(5ted. * Sir,
I replied, * do you know nothing of the Man ^
He anfwered, * No more than that he is a Ma*-

riner, and has the Appearance of a very wild
young Fellow. When I faw him laft, it vex-
ed me to that Degree, that I was jufl going
to ihoot him, if he had not prevented me by
taking the Gun out of my Hands, and then
he told me he would guard my Grand-daugh-
ter and Money better than I had done, and
bid me Defiance ; which enraged me fo much
that had I had any Thing in my Hand, I
(hould certainly have bereaved him of his
Life, and (hould he ever come near me I can-
not avoid doing him a Mifchief ; for the very
Thought of him puts me in Flames, much
more the Sight. He had the mod Pertnef^
as ever you knew a young Man in your Life,
and fuch a Fluency of Speech that every Word
he fpoke cut me to the Heart; fo that I was
iiot able to contain myHf. ' Sir, faid I, par-
don me, but if I may give my Opinion I
think you exert yourfelf too much in this
Thing, and Oiould endeavour to moderate
your Paffion, as there is no Neccffity for it.
I do riot find the young Man has given you
any Abufe, or ufed you ill in any refpedl ;
then why (hould you be fo invidious againft

H 2 'him

!!

:!

1

m

\\\

100 Tie Life and Adventures

him without any Provocation.* He faid, * Oh
Mr. Nicbolls, I think I have had Provocation
enough to make me worfe than I am/ * No,
replied, ' I cannot think fo ; a Man may be
vexed for a Seafon, but that is no reafon why
he (hould harbour Inveteracy; for nothing
(hews a Man's Wickednefs more than to carry
his Refentment too far. Let there be a Me«
diation; and fuffer me to be his Mediator in
ipeaking my Sentiments, which I (hall do
freely. I verily believe the young Man is in-
wardly good. For there are but few in the
World, that had they but half as much faid
to them, or done to them what you have
been guilty of, but would have attempted
fomething againfl you to have done themfelves
Juflice. And I obferved to him, that you
might have done fomething very prejudicial
to him, had you been as rafn as himfelf ; and
that you muft have had the Patience of Jo^y
or you could not have bore what you did.
Therefore, faid I, as he has taken all patient-
ly hitherto, you can do no lefs than be re-
conciled to him. For if you refleft with
yourfelf, you will find the young Man to be
your Friend, rather than your Enemy : Efpe-
cially as you have given him all the room
imaginable to do you an Injury. And his
not taking hold either of your Words or Ac-
tions, fhews he is a Man of a good Condudl
and amicable Difpofition. What can you de-
fire more, than a Man endued with fuch good

* Qualifications?

^Matthew Bishop. loi

Qu^hiiications ? Do not be unreafbnable and
deiire Impofiibiiities; and, iince the Knot is
tied, do not harbour an ill Opinion of the
Man; for it behoves all Mankind to defend
themfelves to the beft of their Power. And
fince the new married Couple are come toge-
ther, I would advife you to think it was or-
dained by Providence fo to be, which is im-
poffible to arm againft, neither would it be
prudent to endeavour it; for it would be
bidding Defiance to the Almighty, making
them unhapjpy, and bringing Deflrudtion on
yourfelf. Therefore I intreat you to be re-
conciled, by which you will find Comfort
and make them happy ; otherwife you will all
be miferable. Now I have told you the Con-
fequence of carrying your Refentment too far,
I hope you will refledt upon it, and am con-
vinced you will find it as I fay. For it is often
feen, that Mankind would be glad to reform
their Follies, when their Eyes are open and
pafl Time to be recalled. The married Cou-
ple, after your ill Ufage, may run themfelves
into Errors impoflible to be retrieved. But I do
not doubt your coming into my Meafures, as
you mufl be convinced in your own Mind, that
what I have fpoke in this Affair, was no other
than giving you friendly Advice againfl your
own Deflruddon. Not as I apprehend you want
for Knowledge ; but you are fenfible we are all
of us fuch Creatures, that we are blind to our
own Follies though we can perceive thofe of
Others, Therefore fometimes. ta reprimand

fT 3 * each

102 Tie Life and Ahentures

^ each other is very neceflary and beneficia]»

* efpeciaUy when the unruly Spirit is upOA us.

* What di*you fay, Mt,Jakeman? Is it not fo?*
He replied, ' Mr. Nicholh^ you fpeak very

^ right : But there is one Thing I muA beg of
you to explain. You told me that the young
Man had it in his Power to defhoy me and
my Subiknce ; and I defire to know what
you mean by it ? * Well then, faid I, I will
explain it freely to you, though you are con-
fufed ; which, I hope, will bring you into my
Way of Thinking. You remember that
you treated this young Man inhumanly, by
prefenting your Gun at him ; but Ending you
were prevented of your vicious Intent, you
tliieatned by fome Means or other to take
away his Life. Do you not think it was bar-
barous Ufage? As for my Part, I (houldinot
have thought it to have been in your Nature,
had not you told it me yourfelf : And waa he
to feek for Juftice, the Law would condemn
you from your own Words. But as I do not
find that he defires any Revenge, it fiiews he
has a great Regard for your Peribn, and much
Wifdom in imputing it to your Paffion,
though I find you are invidious againfl: him ;
which I think is abominable, as he wifhes you
no Harm, and would, I dare fay, do you all
the Service he could, was you but reconciled'
to him $ which I intreat you to b6. ' Sir, faid'
he, what would you have me do ? It made
me almod: mad, fo that I did not know either
what I faid or did, * Sir, I replied, you need
V 4. '-- 1 "ot

.'«*'«»

d/*Mi4TTHBw Bishop. ioj

* not flatter yourielf fo, for I reafly think you
' were quite miafd, as no ohe in their Senfes
' would have addled in thie Manfier you did.'

* Mr. NicMky faid he, you are very fharp

* upon itt^.' * Sir, I repKfed, you giVc mb Oc-

* c^iion : I Wottld cndeaVo* to affift any one

* in a good Gaufe 5 but ^Hen their uhridy^ Paf-
^ fions overcome their S^fisi, Ithink it higli

* Time to give thiem up. For When they
« ehufe the Fatlier 6f EvilJJ t<y be their Advo-
« cate, I thihk it gilding niy Time in vain,

* which I do rtot chnfe to d^: He defircd me
not to take any Notice Of What had pafled be-
tween us to any one J and as I* found *ie was
coiifcibus of his Fault, I gaVd Kim my Hbnour
Upon it, that nothirig I (hould fay in this Af&ir
fliduld be any w^j^ prqUdicial to hith.' * Sir»
faid hej * I can believe yon ; and wotild truA

* even rtiy Life in your Hands for Safety, as I
^ am cortfiderit you will never deceive me ; and

* in this Affair I diall always acknowledge the

* Favour you have dbhe me, and be bound

* to pray for ybii during Life.' * Sir, faid I,

* now you begin to talk reafonaWy, one may

* difconrfe With you ; for a^ I knew you to be

* a Man of gbod'Undcrftanding, Iwasfarptiz-

* ed at your A<5iohs ; but fihce ybu are pacified,

* We will Corifdlt about this Affair, and if I can

* be of any Service to you, you may depend on

* it; btit I Wotrld have you determine With

* ydutfelf what you woiild have done.* He faid
he did not know what could be done in it. I
arifwered, * As I knew how it was with him.

H4

that

I i

104 Tie Life and Adventures

that if he had given your Wife the Writings
into her own Hands, it would be impodible
to recover them, unlefs it was clandeftinely s
but as they were a free Gift, I would not ad-
vife him to any fuch Revenge ; for though it is
faid to be fweet in fome Things, yet in that he
would find it bitter as Gall. And as you are
old, I would advife you to chufe what is moft
palatable, as you have bore a good Character
hitherto, not to part from the World in Ma-
lice. For what a fine Thing will it be, to have
it faid, (when your Time comes) that you
parted from the World in Peace ? And this
Method will be more confiflent, than to la-
bour after what you cannot carry with you.
For upon Refledtion you will find, that Riches
will have no Share in faving the Soul; but
thofe will be happy whofe Confciences are void
of Offence towards God and Man, And now
I have given you the bcft Advice I can, though
it is in your Option whether you will be can-
did enough to follow it. But, whether you
are or not, I dare &y there is nothing you can
do fo well.' He replied, * Mr. Nicholh^ fince
it is fo, I am determined upon a general Re-
conciliation, efpecially as to my Grand-daugh-
ter, whom I always adored, and gave my Ad«
monition to, though (he did not regard it ;
neither do I think young Women are capable
of receiving Inftnidlions ; but I fhall impute
it to her Weaknefs and his Cunning, and think
no more of it.' * Well, Sir, faid I, iffo, and
you will giv^ me Leave, I will fend for the

' young

^ Matthew Bishop. 105

' young Man hither, nnd hear what he has to

* fay for himfelf/ He replied, ' With aU hia
' Heart ; and ordered his Man to fetch you,

* but you did not think proper to come. But at

* his Return, I faid I vvould go talk with you

* at your own Houfe, and he fent the Servant

* to condud; me to you/ My Uncle had jufl
fini(hed this Account of their Difcourfe, when
the old Man entered ; for the Servant having
run home and told him what he had feen and
heard, the old Man thought he could not walk
faft enough, therefore ordered him to put the
Horfes to the Chaife, and drive as fau as he
could.

When he came in, he behaved in fuch an a-^
micable delectable Manner, that I was quite
furprifed ; for it is impodible to imagine the
Change there was in him. He went to my
Wife, and embraced her with Raptures, and
came and fhook me kindly by the Hand, and
then gave us his Blefling, hoping that we fhould
live comfortably and happily together. We
thanked him, and I faid to my Uncle, JTou have
overcome Evil with Good. The old Man appre-
hended my Meaning, and replied, * That if he
' had had but the lead Apprehenfion of my be-

* ing his Relation, he would have received me

* kindly at iirfl s and defired us both to forgive

* his ill Ufage, and hoped he fhould be able to
^ make us Amends/ I anfwered him, ' Sir, iince

* it is no worfe, I freely forgive you ; though,

* had you (hot me, all that you have in the
I World would not h^ve been a fufficient Atone-

* ment

J

I'i

;i

he

■ 'f

io6 The Life and Adventures

* mcnt for my Life/ H« faid, ' What you %

* is very trde : Had I bereaved you of your

* Life, there could' have been no RefccMiipence,
*■ and we fhcJuld both have Shared the farAc'

* Pate. I atn glad it hath happened ofherv^ife/
' Sir, faid I, I am glad you are eonviflced it

* would have been fb.' 1 then obfeirved to my
Uncle, • It plainly appears the guilty Witt caw

* the firft Stone; and it is an old Sayihg, a

* guilty Confcience lieed^ no Accufety ai^itWiK

* both accufe and excufe itfelf. Fbr Refle^ftion

* ftrikes fuch a Terror upon the Spirits, as can
^ only be compared to a Hell upon E^th ; but

* whether that be any Propitiation for th6 Sins

* of this World, I leave to the learned/
Neither the old Man nor my Uncle made me

any Reply ; by which I found my Obferva-
tions were not agreekble to the dd Man. So
1 droptthe Difcourfe, and we fat down together,
and drank our Bottle a-piece very che^rftilly.
I was glad to find the Liquor had fuch a good
Effedl, as to cxtinguifli thofe Flameis, and mo-
derate the Sting of Confcience, that darts intb
the Minds of thofe that are confcious of Evih
But a confcientious Man never finds that Tor*
ment, and his Days are a Pleafure to him. As
I had (hewn the Difference between Good and
Evil, I thought it prudent to accomplifh my
Defign, and drown all Thoughts that would
not avail me. As I (ignified before, the Liquor
had fuch a good Effeca, that the old Man and
my Uncle were as jocular as if they had beeii
but twenty. Therefore I thought it wa» right

to

'nrr

uor
and

©/"Matthew Bishop. 107

to be as jocular as the^r, and forget all Griev-
ances, which were all made up al that Meeting,
and we parted like fincere Friends ; the old Man
defiringmy Wifcandme to dine with him the
next Day -, and my Uncle faid, he would lye at the
old Man's, and ftay to Dinner on the Morrow for
us, on Purpofe. Wc promifed to waiit on them.
The next Day, when I came to drefe myfclf
in order to accompany my Wife, according to
our Promifb, the Maid informed me, there were
none but fpeckled Shirts clean -, and (he was very?
much againft my going in one of them, as (he
Md it would look difreipedful at the firfl: Vifit.
Ifaid, * Child, do not think I am afhamed of

* my Profeflion : On the contrary, I am fo

* proud of it, that I do not care though al^

* the World knew it' With that fhefetchedJ
one ; but told my Wife, I infilled on^ one of the
checkered Shirts, who faid to her, * Never deny

* him any Thing, for he loves to have every

* Thing his own Way, and knows how to make
' an Excufe for the Shirt -, therefore take no'

* Notice, but give him one.' The Maid al-
ways obferved this Rule afterwards. The old
Gentleman fent his Chaife for us; and when
we got to his Houfe, I made an Apology for
my Shirt, by telling him that I was in two
Minds, whether to come or not, as the Maid
had negleded waftiing my Linen, and I had no
white Linen clean; fo that I was obliged to
come in this Garb, or not at all 5 and hoped he
would excufe it. He defired no Apologies, for
he (hould be glad to fee me even without a

Shirt;

t;

Ml

is. I'

il

io8 Hhe Life and Adventures

Shift ; and when we entered the Parlour, my:
Uncle could not forbear laughing at my checker
Shirt. I found by fbme Hints, that my Uncle
had been talking with the old Man about my
Courfe of Life ; but all they could fay, I knew,
would have little Effedt on me, as I was bent
on going to Flanders^ fo I gave them their
Way in every Thing.

After Dinner they afked me what I propoied
to follow, to encreafe my Fortune? I told
them that I muft go to Deddington^ to fettle
fbme Affairs there, and afterwards would do
any Thing that fhould be agreeable to them.
The old Man feemed very well pleafed with the
Reply; and I endeavoured to be as affable and
engaging as I could, and pleafed the old Man
to iiicha pegree, that before we parted, he went
to his Scrutore, and gave me a Bank Note of
50/. and a Note payable in thirty Days at
London for 50 /. more. I returned him Thanks,
but faid, I fhould never be able to make him A-
mends for his Favours. He replied, that it was
done already, and according as I behaved to my
Wife, I fhould experience more of them, and
ibmething more advantageous :* * For, faid
he, ' I have no Relation I like fo well as your

* Wife, and when I die, all I have fhall come

* to her, if you turn out a good Hufband/ But
this fine Prolpedl could not reflrain me from
adting according to my former Refolutions :
And I can fay more than Thoufands, that I re-
fufed a little Eflate for feven Years Pleafure.
But though I call it Pleafure, Thoufanda

would

^MatthewBishop. 109

would have given that Eflate to have been abfent
from theNoife of thofe Cannon which I delight-
ed in hearing. The old Man little thought how
I intended to difpofe of myfelf, nor of ever fee-
ing me more, but apprehended, that at my Re-
turn from Oxford/hirCy I fhould fettle and be a
good Neighbour j and faid, it would be a Com-
fort to him in his old Age to have me fo near
him. At Parting he wiflied me a good Jour-
ney, and hoped that I would flay no long-
er than was neceflary ; but defired me to do my
Bufinefs efFedtually before my Return. I told
him that I intended to efFeduate every Thing
before my Return. But he meant one Thing,
and I another.

Now I began to think that I had the word:
Trial to go through at laft 5 to leave a Wife,
fuch as the Heavens could not produce a more
virtuous, and a tender Mother, whom I loved
as the Apple of my Eye 5 which gave me much
Trouble. When I returned home, my Uncle
came to me, and faid with Tears in his Eyes,

* Dear Coulin, as you have accomplilhed this

* great Work, and there is fuch a Profpeft of

* Happinefs before your Eyes, I beg of you to

* be conformable, and pleafe your Relations, by ,

* breaking your former Refolutions and In-

* tentions that you obferved to me,* I replied,

* Sir, I render you a thoufand Thanks for your

* good Advice ; but fhould think myfelf unde-

* ferving of the Bleflings of the Almighty, if I

* did not endeavour to fulfil my Refolutions,

* and by fo doing to call myfelf a Man of Ho-

I * nour;

;!l

It

ll

I: *

!< ffil

t lo The Life and Adventures

nour ; otherwife I (hould be a Knave, to fall
from a good Inclination for the Love of Pelf.
I am a Man that values my Honour more
than Riches, and ever will maintain it by
Juftice. Therefore it is in vain for any one
to endeavour to reftrain me by Perfuafions ;
for I am not like Men puffed with Riches,
who drop the good Intentions they had be-
fore the Bribe was offered. In fine. Sir, all
the Inducements in Life can have no Efiedt
upon me, for I fhall endeavour to wade
through the Campaign with the fame Induftry
and Care as I have done through the Seas/
As my Uncle found he could do no Good, he
faid, * Coufin, I am forry you are fo refolutc
' and opiniative as not to take Advice $ but
' iince it is fo, you mud take your Chance ; and

* I hope that, through the Goodnefs of the Al-

* mighty, you will be profperous in all your

* Undertakings, and live to enjoy what you

* £hall acquire hereafter : Though it will be

* a Miracle fhould you efcape this fecond £x-
' pedition, as we are likely to have fome bloody

* Battles. * Sir, faid I, Providence has hi-
^ therto been my Friend, and I do not doubt

* it's Continuance till we have defeated our £-

* nemies.' We bid Adieu to each other j and
when he was gone, I began to think of my Mo-
ther J and as I purpofed to make good my Pro-
mife and fulfil her Defire, I informed my Wife
of it, and that there was fome Bufine^ which
had not been fettled fince my Father's Death.
She agreed to our going, and I took three Places

la

el

^.Matthew Bishop, hi

ia th^ Suge-Cp3ch, fer jnyfelf, her, and ber
Maid, In the mean Time, fhe perceiving my
excefjlye liurry, grew very inquilitive, and 6id
to m-9, amongft other Things, * My Dear, I

* hope you hav? no Thoughts of going again to

* Sea, as I have waited fo many Years in Ex-

* peciation of your fettling, when you came

* home J and if you (hould leave me at laft, it
^ would break my Heart/ Thefe Words cut
me, but I ilrove to blind her as much as I could,
faying, * I am furprifed you (hould imagine

that I have any Inclination for going to Sea
again, now I am fo happily married, and
have fuch a good Profpedl before my Eyes,
Sure you muft take me for a Fool or a Mad-^
man, to carry the Burden when I can have it
carried for me. Pray, my Dear, do not
have fuch an ill Opinion of if^e, for I am de-
termined to fulfil all my Refolutions, and
hope to live to make good all thofe Defici-
encies my frail Nature has been guilty of/ She
not knowing how to take my. Reply, faid.
Pardon me, my Dear ; but I know your Re-
folution is fuch as never to fly from your
Word, which makes me fear you have pro-
mifed to go again/ This was too clofe;
therefore I changed the Difcourfe, faying, * Pray
let us drop this Difcourfe, which will not a-
vail you, and let us think of purfuing our
Journey/ She wept at my flighting her Dif-
courfe J but I did not think proper to deceive
her by flattering Speeches and lying Lips ; but
iaid, * My Dear, you know my Temper is ne-
I * ver

'I

i 1 2 7})e Life and Ainxenturts

* ver to make my Intentions known till it 1%
' proper \ and I wonder you {hould teize mb
' with what I abominate. You perplex my
'* Soul with fo doing, and may occafion me to

* do what I never intended/ She, finding what
EfFedt it - had on me, refiedled within herfelf,
and was very conformable afterwards. We
took Coach, as I obferved before, and came to
London^ where I ftaid two or three Days, to
fhew her the Diverfions of the Town, and then
took Places in the Stage for Oxfordy in which
pleafant City we flaid four or five Days, to
view the Colleges and whatever was obfcrvable.
At the Inn where we lodged an Officer quarter-
ed, who joined Company, breakfafted, dined,
and fupped with us all the Time we were there.
He finding I had been abroad, we had feveral
Difcourfcs, with which he was highly delight-
ed, and faid I deferved a Ship of my own ; but
as he underflood I had Money, he would ad-
vife me to purchaie a Commiffion in the Land
Service. I told him I never would buy Ho-
nour, neither did I intend more than to carry a
Firelock, at which I have an excellent Hand,
and might probably do more Execution than
twenty others. He was very well entertained
with my Difcourfe, and would fain have per-
fuaded me to continue there a Day or two lon^^
er ; but I defired to be excufed, as I had pro-
mifed my Wife to fet out the next Day, and
had given Earneil for a Chaife for my M.:c3.
But had I been alone, I fhould not have grudg-
ed a Week's Time. The next Morning w€

break-

a

II

try a
and^
than
ined
per-

ongr
pro-
and

^ Matthew Bishop. 113

breakfafted together, and after drinking a Bot-
tle of Sack parted with a hearty Farewe).

We had not gone above two Miles, when I
began to refled how forgetful I had been in not
afking the Gentleman's Name and what Regi-
ment he belonged to, and could not help think-
ing what a brave Opportunity I had loft by.
having my Wife along with me ; and thought
how agreeable it would have been at firft enter-
ing to be with a Man of fuch Veracity and Sin-
cerity ; for I am certain by his Behaviour there
would have been a great Intimacy between us,^
although he was in a Rank fuperior to what I
propofed being in. Thefe Thoughts made
the Journey not altogether fo pleafant as it u(ed
to be. This made my Wife imagine fomething
had difpleafed me, v^hich fhe faid (he could
perceive by my Looks. But I did not fatisfy
her. When we came to TJeddington^ I went to
my Aunt Smith\ and fent for my poor Mother,
who was condoling for me, thinking flie (hould
never fee me more. As foon as (he came, be-
fore I had Time to fpeak to her, {he fell into
a Fit, which lafted for half an Hour, which
they told me ihe had been fujjedt to ever fince
my going abroad ; and w^hen I afked if any
Thing troubled her, (lie replied, I fear my
poor Child is killed. When I heard this, I could
not help refledling what an Effed my going a-
broad had on my Family : My Father broke
his Heart, and my Mother was at Times be-
reaved of her Senfes ; which made mccurfemy
unhappy Fate, to be fuch a difobedient Son.

•* 1 . When

1X4 ?^ Life and J^ventures

When my Mother came to herfelf ,agfun» I f>r^
fented my Wife to her, and fl^ liked my GIjiu^iaB
yery well, begged God to blefd us, a^d lipp-
ed that vrp might live to fee more comfortable
Days than Hie had done; and that I miRbl
think of fettling after all my Figaries. All va^
had no Efk&. on my Inclinations, that were
longing to be abroad, thinking every Day a
Week, and Week a Month. We fpent that
Night very merrily, and next Morning I thought
it high Time todifclofe fome of thofe Thoughts
that my Bread contained. Therefore I told my
Mother, that I intended to fend for my Father's
Lawyer, to look over fome Writings ; which
ihe confented to, and when he came, I told
him my Intention in thefe Words : * 5ir, I pur-

* pofe to bequeath to my Wife and Mother all

* my Income during my Abfence ; and (hould

* any Thing happen to me, what! have Heave

* to them for their Lives : And in cafe my

* Wife fhould bring forth a Child, it fhall go to

* that Child after their Deaths. And beg yqa
\ will get it drawn up as foon as poffible.' He
was not long about it ; and when it was figned,
I faid to my Mother and Wife before the
Lawyer, All this I bequeath to you till my Re-
turn ^ which will be in a Jhort ^ime \ though I
cannot pojitively jay on what Day : But you may
be Jure I will be as expeditious as I can. They
were very dcfirous of knowing where I intend-
ed to go i but I put them off by telling them,
that I promifed to meet a Friend in a certain
place, whom I ihould be forry to difappoint,

•' **"* /

THcy asffied'iiie if I cduld not jodgfe the Tim^
WitkiR ft Dk^ oi* two^ on Accoiiht of finding
thy Lineii. I faid, to prevent any Thing that
diight iM^pen, I would take enough to ferve
ine a Mbnth. They were fui^rifeid at that,
and my Mother faid, Dear Ciila, where can ym
go fir a Moktb f I replied, Dear Mother^ you
are fenjiiifk that I have had no I'ime upon my
Hands fince nty coming /^ England; therefore I
koiU take the Opportunity^ after Ihavefini/h^
td my BttfihefSy to go and vifit all my Relations ;
iffhichyou kn&ki will take me up more Time than
lean imaglHe : For I am determined to have
'Jbme Cori^ejimdence with them^ now lain come
home, Anaiftdo not take a Round and fee ihem^
they will tijink me dead: But my Appearance will
clear up their Doubt s,

.t' ;^* And When I've traversed tlirough thisScen^
of Life,
Then Til dtvell comfortably with my Wife:

They aiked why I left thofe Writings with
>hemj as they thought there was no Neccflity
f6r it 'y and faid that I made as much Prepara-
tion as if I had been going for a Twelvemonth.
I told them that I thought all Mankind that
were married fhould be cautious of Accidents iA
Lif", and, though the Journey be ever fb fhort,
(hould leave a Will behind them, efpecially
where there is a Family j through the Negle^
of which Ruptures have been often caufed a-
mongft Relations, and Lawyers have got the
biggefl Part of their Eftates. But I will pre-
\ - N I 2 vent

5vo

01 :>

116 Tie Life and Advehiu^es

vent them having any of mine. This I faid, be*
caufe I was willing they (hould not know what
the Writings meant ; and they were both well
pleafed at my Sentiments \ and my Wife faid,
your Care is deferving of more than abounds in
me I and my Mother faid, Son^ I perceive all your
good-natured ASiions wili be crowned in a JVife^
jorjke has a Capacity more than is common in our
Sex : There/ore I beg you to be kind to her,
and endeavour to pleafe her ; and let me intreat
you to think no more of any Frolicks^ but Jiudy to
live comfortably in thts fVorld, Thefe I began
to think were not bad Inilrudtions, though fiom
an old Woman. But nothing could refvtain
Tny Inclinations from that noble Employment,

I (aid to them after this Manner ; what I am
going to fignify to you is nothing but Fadt ;
} am determined, after this Journey and my
Buiinefs is completed, to give myfelf up toa Ib-
ber and godly Courfe of Life, wl ;ch 1 am fcn-
iible is mod: agreeable to God and Man ; and
my Endeavours fhall be a Pattern for all Man-
kind. They did not underfland my Difcourfe,
but aflced me when I purpoled going my Jour-
ney, for my Abfence would not be very agree-r
able. I told them, in three Days Time j and,
faid I, you may depend on it, that I (hall not
take fuch another Journey in Hade; neither
fhould I take this, but Neceflity obliges me to
it. My Mother replied, if it was abfolutely ne-
ceflary, I would have you go in God's Name.
I pleafed myfelf with the Thoughts that my long
Conference would keep them ignpr^nt of my
..^mm.-'. ^: I ■ - ' .' : Iri-?

e^M

ATtHE

W B

iSHOP.

iff

Intentions till I could bid my Country Adieu«
when it would be Time enough to reveal them<'
For when any unexpeded Difafler happens, a
Man is apt to refledt upon himfelf, < Oh ! had

* I done fuch a Thing, I might have prevented

* the Evil that has brought on my Misfortunes/
Therefore it is impoifible for a Man to have too
much Precaution in precarious Affairs^ I have
often thought there was a Poilibility of chufing
the Good and refufing the Evil; but there is
not : For when a Man has endeavoured for the
beft, it has turned out the reverfe. Therefore
I will fay once more, that Providence is the chief
Director and only Guide. When I had made
thefe Remarks, I thought it would be prudent
to invent fomething to divert my Mother and
Wife, who were both prodigioully thoughtful*
So I fent for my Aunt, who I knew to be a very
merry Companion, to expel thefe vain Thoughts,
which 1 knew would not avail them. And
when (he came, (he faid to my Mother, • Sifter,

* you and my Niece are very difconfolate ; let

* us have a Game at Whift ; for I came pur-

* pofely to be merry with you this Afcernoon,

* and (hould be forry to be difappointed of my

* intended Pleafure.* I brought out a Bottle of
Wine, and faid. Aunt, this is the firft Time I
ever had the Pleafure to fee you at my Houfe
fince my Return, therefore I infift on your tak-
ing a Glafs before Cards. She faid, with all her
Heart, if her Sifter was willing to partake. She
condefcended, and we pa(red the Evening ovec
a Bottle very agreeably, my Aunt fmging a de-

I 3 Tightful

i < - . *

lii

%ht&l Song, and my Wife retueniaie anothe^is?
fo ttttt I was charmed with their mu&al Voices* \
My Mother was in the higheft Spirits that K
ever iaw her.; which was all owmg to my;
Aunt's Company, for which i returned her
Thanks. She faid, (he (houid have been glad^
of the Pleafure of feeing us at her Houle the
next Evening ; but that as I was going a Jour-^
ney, (he would defer it till another Time. She
a/ked me how long I intended to ftay ? I told
her, they would either fee or hear from me in
about a Month. Lord ! faid (he, I thought
^ou did not intend to be gone above two or
three Days. But pray then. Sifter, do you and
my Niece come ; and I hope to have the Plea-
fure of feeing you often during his Abfence, for
it will be a fort of an Amuiement for you. They
replied, they would wait on her. She was for
gping, but I defired her to flay and take a Olaiis
of Ufquebaugh: She did, and faid it was an
excellent Dram, and extremely good of the Sort.
I told her, my Father ufed it by way of a Cor-
dial. She (hook hep Head, and we parted, -t
When my Aunt was gone, I thought it would
be beft to pack up my Things, that I might
have nothing to hinder nie in the Morning.
Accordingly I defired my Wife to give me every
Thing neceffary ; for as I intended to fet out
early next Morning, it was requifite to get eve-
ry Thing in Order. When we had done pack-
ing, we went to Bed, though I might as well
have fat up, for the Sleep I had -, and my popr
Wife faid that (lie never laid her Eye-lids toge-«
-■^'.f; .; " '\ •; ' t -^•' ^her .

■.4 ■»•

^ Matthew Bishcj^i^,' itg

ther all Night, but was very uneaQr s which I was
ieniible of, though not to her Knowledge, for I
lay very flill, like as if I had been afleep, but
wais bro^d aWake. And as I found (he was Co
dtep\y concerned at my going, it put into my
flead the following Lines, which I put into her
Hands at parting, and defired her to perufc thegn
in my Abfence.

My Dear! it grieves my Soul to part from you.
Though this in Honour Vm coifnpelVd to do.
In you, alas ! what boundlefs Joys I found 1
And with Sincerity all thofe Joys were crown*dJ
The Thoughts of parting fill my Eyes with Tears,
And rend my Heart with tender, anxious Fears
For You, to whom I ever (hall be true j
But yet my Queen expedts my Duty too.
Her Service now has called me afide,
And of the two I muft negledt my Bride.
But pardon, Deareft! 'tis a deep Concern ;
And Providence will fkreen me from all Harm.'
My Country ferv'd, then unto thee 1*11 fly,
And all thy faithful Deeds will gratify.
Enraptur'd then with thy endearing Charms,
Which even now invite me to your Arms ;
Could I with Truth embrace my Liberty;
But Honour binds ; and that will fet me free.
Then the more conftant that I find you prov'd.
The more my Paffion will to you be mov'd :
' And always praife thee for thy fincere Part,
And this you may believe is from my Heart.

u

CHAP.

i

ui

rZQ Tie Life and Adwntures

lijiu".^t^f CHAP. XIX. ^^^-.:.^i^ia\*»tn

ne Author lifts in the Land Service : IJisfuc^
cefs in Recruiting: Lands at Helvoet Sluice :
Goes to Ghent and Auterdam : Remarkable
Incidents at both thefe Places,

t, \

.T

IN 1706 after I had taken my leave of my
Wife and Mother, I made the befl of my
way to Oxford ', hoping to find the Gentleman,
that I was fo well entertained by ; though when
I came there, to my great Sorrow I found he
had been gone four Days. Then I walked about
the Town, in a difconfolate manner; longing
to hear, if pofTible, of fome recruiting Officers, ;
but was difappointed. For after I made all the ^
Enquiry I could, I found none. Upon this I ,
was very uneafy in my Mind, to think I (hould i
be diiappointed of my intended Pleafure; andt
being exceflively low fpirited, I went to my ?
Inn and got a Bowl of Punch, which in fome
Meafure revived me. Then I fent for my
Landlord, and embraced his Company till he
was obliged to be carried out of the Room, as
he was not able to walk out of himfelf, being
fo prodigious drunk that all his Scnfes were
quite taken away. Then I went to Bed and
diverted myfelf, and was exceflively chearful
with the Thoughts of what the Morrow might
bring forth. It being the Market-Day, I hop-
ed it might produce fomething extraordinary.
With thefe plcafing Thoughts, 1 laid my Eye-
lids

P
ai

t(

-V •

.jTlK"

/i

of M A¥t ft E^ "B is H O p.

— - «•

121

lids together; but as foon as I was aileep, my
Thoughts were difperfed in foreign Parts, and I
fancied I was exerting myfelf againft the French.
But in the height of this I awaked, and
found it a Dream. Then I could not help
thinking there was nothing butDi^ppointments
in Life, though I imputed it to a Dream, aad
went to deep again ; but yet was forry it did not
prove true in Faft. In the Morning I awoke
and looked out of the Window, and it appeared
to me to be a very promifing Day, which I was
much delighted with. Therefore I dreft my-
felf very clean, and put a Cockcade in my Hat.
So that feveral took me to be an Officer, but I
deceived them greatly, for my Ambition did not
rife to that Sphere, but in the lowefl Rank of
all. There were my Inclinations centred, as
the Reader will find. After I had broke my faft,
I walked backwards and forwards in the Town,
for a confiderable time, till I grew very impa-
tient, and was jufl going to give up all Hopes
of finding what I wanted that Day. But as I
was thinking, I faw at a great way off a red
Coat, though at fuch a diftance that I could
not difcern any Thing elfe. But to fatisfy my
Curiofity I met them, and found theni to be
what I wiflied for, to my great Joy. Then I
went up to them, and afked them what Regi-
ment they belonged to. The Sergeant made an-
fwer and told me, they belonged to the Queen's
marching Regiment of foot commanded by
General ^eifh. I told them that I had as great
a Value for thiU, as any belonging to her Ma-

H

li'

f i i The Life and Adventures

jdly's Serrvicc. The Sergeant perccivirtg my
Cdckcadc, faid, pray Sir, what Regiment do
you belong to? Sir, replied I, I don't belong ta
any at prefent : Though I intend to belong to
yours very foon. The Sergeant faid, Sir, I wifti*
you may, there are feveral Vacancies in our Re*
giment which want filling up. Sir faid I, I hum^
bly perceive there doth, or there would be no
Neceffity for ydur Recraiting. The Sergeant be--
iiig a very brifk Man, anfwered me in diis
manner. Sir, we don't recruit for Officers, we
recruit for private Men. Therefore, I faid to
him, would you be pleafed to accept of me ^
a private Man. He feid. Sir, you will accept of
fomething bettef than to be a private Man, I
thought they du me a great deal of Honour by
faying that. Therefore I begged the Favour ot
them to accept cf a GlafsofWine, which they
very willingly received. Though the Reader
will fay that it is a very uncommon Way to
treat, as the Generality of them expedls to be
treated, before they will entertain, and I verily
believe there is but few that ever did it befides
myfelf. But I ftrove to be of a different Nature
from the Generality of Mankind, and that not
in one Refpedt only, but in all my Proceedings
of Life, which were the Refult of Deliberation.
And 1 found it no Difficulty to be particular, as
my Intention was good, as you will find. When
I had treated the Sergeant, Corporal and Drum-
mer, with a Bottle of Wine, I took the Sergeant
afide, into another Room, and afked him fe-
veral Queftions. But I thought it would be

prudent

Prudent atfirft to forewarn him, left he fhouidi
^{ly ways think that i did it by way of a^ Joke >
foe by fo thinking, he might fapport that, and
carry it on as fuch, and deceive me. But to
convince him there were no fuch things meant^
I begged he would be attentive to what I was
going to ^gnify to him. Sir, I faid, / deceive
m Mm, Sserefore I hope you wUl net any- 'ways
deceit me, in tbefe Articles, I hope you will be
Jo kind ai to inform me, ij in your Power, or to
the befi of your Knowledge, whether you think
there is a FoJJibility of knowing the exah time of
your going abroad* Sir, anfwered he, it is im-^
po/pbU of knowing the Day^ but I am certain
*wejhall go in about a Fortnight or three IVeekes
ai fartheft ; for we Jhall be in London by the
latter End of next Week, in order to go. Well,
continued I, Jince you go fo foonlam determind
/(? accompany you there, and from this time I will
call myfelfone of your Recruits, though you need
mt take any notice to the Corporal and Drummer,
no other, than the young Man has a Mind to
have a Frolick and march with us to London,
ym may confide in what I fay. He took my
Word till we went to London, though after our
long Conference, I defired, he- would acquaint
m^ what Company he was a recruiting for. He
faid. Captain BefcheferV, and no other. Then
I told him, after he had got his Billet, and like-
wife got himfelf clean, 1 would be ready to ajjiji
him in the Town, Come, who knows but through
v^ Infiigation you may get feveral young Men,
And as I faid, we did get three very pretty young

Men

m

i

124 ^^^ ^{/^ ^^^ Adventures
Men. After this, I took them all to my Inn/
and we were cxceffively merry that Evening,
and properly Sons of Bacchus^ as we were drink-
ing and revelling all the Night. The Liquor
had a very great EfFedt on the young Men, fo
that it rendered them unfit for travelling till fouf
o*Clock in the Afternoon. So that we did not
march far that Evening, though it were in the
Road to London, that was wlmt I wanted, and
as we were a going along the Road the yt)ung
Men complained that their Heads ached pro-
digioufly. Then I endeavoured to revive them,
by faying I intended to have a Bowl of Punch,
by way of a Setder and then to go to Bed upon
it, and in the Morning I dare anfwer for it,
you will all forget it, or leave it behind you;
This in fome Meafure pleafcd them, and they,
were feemingly in much better Spirits than be-
fore; therefore they all faid, with all our Hearts y
for they thought it would be very agreeable af-
ter Supper. Then I told them, as it had not
afFeded their Stomachs by taking away their
'Appetite, they would do very well again, I per-
ceived; and according to their Defire I ftrove to
execute every Thing, and bring it to Perfection.
So after Supper I defired the Landlord would
bring in a Quart of Brandy and a Pint of Rum,
likewife Lemons and Sugar, for I purpofed to
make a large Bowl of Punch and drink it, and
then to Bed. Accordingly he brought every
thing requifite to make it good, and over the
Bowl I alked the Sergeant, how long he had been
recruiting? He told me, Jix Weeks. The
2 Reafoa

h\

fo

^Matthew Bishop."^' 125

Reafon of my afking him that Qiieftion, was be-
caufe he had no Recruits, but what he got at
Oxford, He made me an Anfwer in this man-
ner, be had fent up ten Recruits, by a Sergeant
belonging to our Regiment. Then faid I, Cotne^
brother Soldier y we will get Ten more before we
reach London, tf there is any Poffibility ofeffeSt^
ing it. After the Bowl we all went to bed,
and in the Morning arofe and marched on the
Road to London, They were all prodigioufly
merry; therefore I defired they would keep
fome of their Spirits, till we (hould come near
^etfworthy or any other Town : For if they ex-
haufted themfelves too much then, they would
not be able to exert themfelves when required.
The Sergeant approved of this Advice. When
we drew near the next Town I begged they
would iing a merry Song, and the Drum might
help them out by beating. They obferved what
I faid, and gave true Attention to what I meant;
therefore they began to tune up their Voices,
when we came near Tetjworth^ and I joined
Chorus with them, fo that we alarmed all the
Town prefently. Then I went into the beft
Inn, and called for a Gallon of flrong Beer to
treat the Populace that came round us, and
when that was drank J called for another, and
defired feveral of the young Men that came to
fte us, to drink what would do them goody though
not to gorge themfelves. By virtue of the Beer
and our talking, we prevailed on two yoilng
Men to go along with us, an Hoftler of the Inn
and a young Man of the Town, who was going

*,» v,v.

(Q

m

ii6 Tie Life Hind j^dvefihirhs

to Plough. I fycvatkd oil the latter by %tn^
kaw your Plough and come alor^ mtb mt, and
phugb for Riches and Honour, anddon'tfldugp
for Poverty all the Days of your Life, lit very
readily coniply'd and told the iittle Boy to take
the Horfes home again, and tell his Mafier that
be was going to plough for a better Majler, Ac-
cordin^y the Boy went home and tdd his Ma-
fter, and he came to us in a vblent Rage, and
fwore by all that was Good, he would fend his
Man to Bridewell, if he did not go home with
him, and do his Duty. Then I took upon me
to fpeak to him, in this manner. Sir, I am
furprifed you Jhould put yourfelf in fuch a violent
Pajion, when there is no NeceJJityfor it, I would
not have you think it is in your Power to deny
the young Man his Talent, or any Thing belongs
ing to him. How could you prefume to deny her
Majefty, or to ufurp what you carit yujltfyl 1
hope you did not think to Jrighten me, who havk
faced a Thoufand better Men than you. Come,
to make Jhort of my Story, we are in Hafle ; 1
beg you will give the Man his jujl Due, or Ne^
cejfity will oblige me to take you before a Jujlici
of Peace. That put him into a pank:k Fear, fb
he drew the Purfe out of his Pocket, and
faid, for God's Sake take the Money and let me
go. I was glad to hear that. Then I rcleafed
the Farmer, and went with the young Man to
his Houfe, for what Things he thought proper
to take with him, and when fo done, we all
marched for High fVickam. As foon as we left
T'etfwortbi the Sergeant was prodigioufly merry.

With

W^ that J aflcied hi^Qi the C^^^fon of hisExtafy.
tje tol4 me, &> Trifo/port proceeded from my
Pf^teritf affd ^ftf¥^ Inventions, Lihwifi my
Coj^ormttyt btingjo agreeable andfuitable to the
Commonality of People. Methinks^ mi he, I grudge
yqt^ your Genius. I rendered him Thanks Six
his Compliment, but yet defired he would not
b^rqdge me any Thing ; for I (hould uie the
utmofl of my Endeavours to make him (hine ia
the next Town. But in tlie mean time I
thought it would be proper to keep up our Spi-
rits ; therefore we called at Stoken Churchy and
revived ourfelves with a large Dram of Rum»
Then I thought it would be commendable to
proceed forward in our Journey, if we intended
to reach Wickam that Night. The Sergeant was
a little inclinable to ftay, but through my Per-
fuadons was prevailed on to go. When we
came within Sight of Wickam^ they all feem-
ingly were prodigioufly I.eg-weary. Then I
thought it would be requifite to try if they had
any Courage in them. Wlierefore I cut three
3ticks out of the Hedge and fluck two in the
Ground and put the other acrofs, then I fpoke
to them all, and faid, / ijoill forfeit a Crown
Bowl of Punch, if any of you all jump over tins
Stick. Come^ you Jhall fee me do it Jir/i, When
i had done it, they all flript ; but fome could
not jump above half a Yard from the Ground,
I thought they were an exceffive While about it )
therefore I looked on my Watch, and finding
they had been above half an Hour, I iaid, Gen^
tkmeny I think you are all deferving of what /

mentioned ,

'^■^'i^:

at 1

I

i 28 755^ Lifi MJ AdviMuhs

mentioned'^ therefore I would not have you firaik
yourjehes by any means in Life, That made
them the more eager about it. But finding it
impradticable by them, I defired they would
not ftrive any longer as their Nerves were not
in a proper Tone for fuch Exercife. Let me in«
treat you to defifl, if you have a Mind to
prevent any Hurt, that may be very prejudicial
to you. The thing is eafily done, when your
Veins and Fibres are in a proper Difpofition.
That had ibme Influence on them, they put on
their Clothes, and acknowledged me to be the
Conqueror. Then we made the bell of our
Way to the Town, and got Billets for all the
Men. When fo done, I defired they would all ^
favour me with their Company, to drink the
Bowl of Punch. I thought that might very
poflibly create in them new Spirits, and by that *
Means we might increafe our Flock, as you will ^
find we did. After we had drank fufficient to I
make us capable of performing fomething ma-
terial, all my Drift was to get a PolTe of People *
together, which was done in this manner. I
prevailed on the Sergeant to allow the Drum to
beat at the Door, which he did for a confidera-
ble Time, and in the mean Time I filled the
Bowl once more, and got a Man to carry it a-
bout the Town upon his Head, that we might ^
drink Succefs to her Majefly's Arms. After the •
Sergeant had made his Speech, my View was t
to endeavour to get the young Men of the Town
to pledge us, and to partake of the Bowl ; but
they were all prodigioufly fhy, and afraid to

Idi

qui

tu\

tU
Ki
bei

kiis the Glais, at firft. Then I faid^ 1 don't,
queflion but all thefe Gentlemen have fuch a r^-k
gardfor her Majejiy^ that it is not in their Na-
ture to refufe a Glafs to h ' tlealth^ when *tis of-
fired', if they did^ Ijhould not call them any of
the ^eerii loyal Subjects or Well-wijheri io hef
Kingdom^ but look on them as no better than Re^
belsy and I will take them up as fuch, if they an)
ways flight her Majejly in my Sight, either in
their Behaviour or Speech. With that foine of
them drew in their Horns, and had not a Wprd
to fay, hut deferted and abfconded from us» By
that means I found out the true Subjed): I had
to work on, and read their Hearts by their Be-
haviour. Therefore, I chofe thofe that I thought
would be of Service to her moft fublime Ma-
jefty, which was done by giving true Attention
to their Behaviour. Thus I valued myfelf upon
diftinguifhing their Inclinations and Difpofi*
tions. Then I made a Divilion, fome I pen'd
in my Mind, and others were crofs'd out. By
the time we came to our Inn or Place of Ren-
counter, they all deferted me, but thofe I fixed
my Eyes upon, which were four clean looking
Men. I took them into the Houfe, examined
them and found them to be vvhat I had been
wifliing for. After my Application they told
me, I nad an irrefiftable Power over them, and
they could not withftand the Temptation I had
given them, but were willing to condefcend to
any Thing, that I thought would be for theif
Good, As they had given me this Preference,
I prcfcribed what was moft agreeably to myfelfi
^ K ' which

-J.

% V

1 ,1

.1

i..

130 Tie Life and Adventures

>vhich is very natural for a Man,, when 'tis put
in his Power. Firft of all, I laid my Cafe bcr
fore them, that I left all that was dear to me ik
the World y on purpofe to go along with this Gen-*
tleman, meaning the Sergeant y therefore IJhall
be proud of the Opportunity of imbracing your
Companies y and nothing Jhall be wanting tnmeif
I can any ways be of Service to you^ by bringing
you to Preferment, The poor Men imagined
that I was the Officer before I explained my-^
fclf in this manner. Yet they were Men of
Refolution, and did not fly from their Words
but flood firmly to what they firfl propofcd.
Therefore I called them Men after my own
Hearty and worthy of that honourable Calling,
worthy oiif" endeavouring to purchafe them,
feeing fair Words would do. I have often made
this Obfervation, and found it to be the only
thing Mankind can depend upon, in recruiting;
that is, if People's Inclination is to be of Scivicc
to the Government, they will be compliaoie and
come into your Meafures. Oiherwife they will
make every thing that is propofed to them na-
thing but Difficulties, and need much entreat-
ing, which is no Advantage to any one, to feek
after them, neither for their Profit nor Credit.
I hope this may diffufe itfelf in all Parts of E«g-
land ; for I will aver, it is the material Thing
belonging to recruiting, and the only Method I
ihould take was I to go again. But in the mean
time, I am a Wefl-wiflier to that Employment,
and never fhall relinquifli my AfFedtion for it.

as long as 1 live.

g

'A'

When

^ MaVthew JfeiiHOP. 131

^' When I had prevailed on the young Men to
go along with us, we all went to Supper, and
after Sapper we drank fufficient to fatisfy any
moderate Men. Then the Sergeant and I agreed
to take a Bedfellow apiece, and the Corpor^tl
and Drummer the other two. When it was fo
agreed, I could not go to bed with a fafe Con-
icience, till we had fomething hot to drink to out
good Repofc, which was burnt Wine. Then
we were all determined to go to bed upon it,
and in the Morning, after Breakfaft, we left
that Place and marched for Uxbridge, In walk'-
ing along the Road, I afked all the young Men
whether they any ways repented of their Engage-^
ment P They all made me Anfwer, they had no
Reafon to repent as yet. Then I faid, Gentle-'
men, jou may confide in what I Jay, if you appfy
to me at any time, there jhall nothing be want-
ing in me, if in my Power, to ferve you. They
all rendered me Thanks, and were very jocofe,
which made it a pleafant March to Uxbridge,

On the Road the Sergeant faid, he purpofed
to ftay two or three Days there, as there wais
no Nereffity for our being in an excellive Hurry*
I thought it would be prudent, as we were to
have fo much Time upon our Hands, to go
into the Town and make fome Enquiry, to ren-
der us capable of doing fomething on the Mor-
row. Therefore we all agreed to take a Round
to every Ale Houfe in the Place, on purpofe to
have a kind of Infpedion over the People, to
find out their Conftitutions. After we had fo
done, we had a long Confultation about our

K 2 Proceed-

? r

* 5*

ri

ii'

I'H

,f

^3i2 Toe Life and Adventures

Proceedings, and they pU feemingly agreed to
the(e my Sentiments. ' Gentlemen, as mr
vf) Undertaking is a thing of fbme Coniequence,
••Vand of weighty Concern upon my Spirits;
}f. I beg you will give true Attention to what
^^ I am going to fignify to you all. To ferve her

' mod fublimeMajefly faithfully, youmuft relin-
^ quifh all other Thoughts but that only, and give

' yourfelves up entirely to it. This in partl-
V cular, I would have you all be mindful of,

' and I don't queftion in the lead but we ihall

* be fuccefsfiil, as there is no other Likelihcxxi
^ at prefent than to accomplifh our Intent. For

the young Men, that I converfed with, have
I; all fome Veracity in them. You all find, I
' had reaion to fludy them beforehand. Had
(I not I ihould not have invented this Scheme;
^'. and you may all depend upon what I fay,

* there is no Good done in this World without
' Courage and Condudt to guide your Ac-
' tions. I hope to morrow you will be as diii-
?■ gent and mindful as poilibly you can. For
^i~ I intend to furround them, and by fome Means
.* or other put ourfelves inaPofture that we may
Vbe capable of compafling, and bringing them

* under our Jurifdidton, or all we can find into

* our Company at Icaft. For 1 don*t value if
' I give them a Treat of 20 Shillings. I am fen-
' fible that will be a great Inducement to them,
i*. and if they arc conformable I fhall not any
V ways begrudge my Endeavours, let it be how
f it will.* Upon that, we were all determirM

2 to

t(
t1

^Matthew Bishop. 133

to go to bed, and in the Morning we met toge-
ther ^in, and confulted how to a6t, which
^8 to be in this manner. We agreed to go out
in feparate Parties and prevail upon whom we
could, and then to meet all togetl^r again at the
Hour of two o'clock. That was the appointed
Time, to apply the Remedy or nnd the
EfFedb of our Attempts. As we were in four
Diviiions, every one was fo do his beft. Through
my Inftigations I brought Four to the Place ap-
pointed, and they prevailed upon Six to come
'dong^ith them -, To that we were a jovial Com-
pany, and nothing but Gaiety and Mirth were
our Companions. They continued with their
Jocofity for a confiderable While, till I thought
it iiigh time to open the Scenes. I faid. Gentle^
irien^ you have given me fucb Pleafure^ that I
Jhall be very unhappy at the 'Time of our part-^
ing, I could ivijh to embrace your good Com-
panies ofteny for my Happinefs depends upon
fith jolly Men as you. With that they faid,
lohat will you give us to go along with you ? I
faid. Gentlemen, you Jhall have good Vfage, which
is preferable to Riches, No Man living can de^
fire more, for thofe that refufe good Laquor and
a good Companion^ will refufe every 'Thing that
is good. Therefore IJjope you will not deny your*
f elves y of what all the World value before Wealth,
They all made Anfwer, that I gave them fiich
Incouragementy that they could not tell how to a^
'*ooid going along with us. That delighted me
much, and my Spirits rofe to fuch a Height, that
' I was capable of doing any thing. Then I faid»

K 3 Gentlemen^

■01

I». I

13+ 7^e^i4fi^P^^«^^

G^tlemefty fince you are Jo conifcep&ig aui^ rf
Jlicb yielding Natures^ kt me prevail yfm ym
alii to make out this Evening wkk ail tie Mtf^b
not can invent. They aM agreed to lfaac» ai^
£ad, as t^ey vtert never fo well aUertdmi in
their hives ^ fo they would embrace tUsOfportth
nityy left they ftmld never have fucb another^
I f^d, if they would go with me^ their Dap
would he aPleafure to them; tbougf) now a Fa^
tigue and a Burthen, Who Viodd be a Slave
when in their Power to be otberways? thofe
Mfsids, they faid, determined diem to go widi
Upon this I called for a Bowl of Ppndi,

m.

and we were exce^vely merry all the Eveoing,
till Sleep overcame them, or the Liquor affbdod
their Brainy and then I was oUiged to put diem
to bed. For a further Safeguard, I gave the
Drawer a Crown to fit up all Night to watch
them for fear they ihould rife before us, and
give us the Slip. 1 needed not to have done this s
for they did not any ways refle£t on tliemfelves,
but were feemingly pleafed with our Evening
Proceedings, and wanted tobe inZi^W^it. There-p
fore I thought proper to intimate to theSerge^t,
what they had declared to me. Then he con-
defcended to go about ten o'clock. They all
were prodigioufly pleafed, and we had a plea-
fan t Walk to London,

When we came there, we made the bcft of
our way to the Tower, and found we were to
continue there four or five Days. I was glad
to hear that, upon the account of my having
an Opportunity of receiving the 50 /. which my

Wife's

T tv

J-V l 1

♦H

ifec R^wiiW gjl fW tune of ^r JbeiiJg in tfe

JQi^irer. ^^ I Ji^d like 0 ^^ye tttfne4 <>ul;
tm^lMsk^ fo^ JVfan, % neg}e<|ii^ t!^
&f 1|*jt Pay, a (Ju^ that I thought of ^c^
Confequence, taking u^ £iSi& of ^K^s^ige j^
my Mpf^f, ^his was very ncceflary to prevent
any Uifafler. I luckily changed my Money into
Pfppf, andrejt^ne4totbcT<WCr>gain, TRhen
I opg^n to thiq^, as my time was fo jQiprt |i|
E/lglatui, k would be fateful u^ me to feadja
LeU^r to my Wife, tp let ^r kf>o^ my fuU
Ifites^n bef^i^e we parted, of whicii I gave her
g bint only, ^^ii^t I thought that pot fu^c^nt,
iis it did not €Xj?^ai^ my Intentioo ftlly. Tha:e-
jfote I was fully 4etef mined to go aivi indites two
or |hr^ Lines to jiier wj^h wer<e as follow.

^^^t My Dear,

AS I haye tenitered into fo near an Alliance
with yoia, I am confcious to myfelf that
JL baye , inciirr'd vour Difpleafure; but I hope
lyou will impute ,i|t to it's real Caufe, an e^iu-nefl:
iDefire of going mo F/anders^ to be aflifting to
^jher Majefty*s Forces. And as her fovereign Com-
mands ate undeniable, it admits no Hefitation.
• I know you are ib difcreet as to di(Hnguifh that
it is not out of Difregard to you, but from a
longing Inclination to defend a good Cauie.
Therefore I beg it may not create any Uneafi-

K 4 nefs

nefiftfi^y^'or mf Moihfir; and dmt neither ol;
yoii 'be any wayi difmayed at it. I am gcnng
this ihftant to yoA^nghnd farewel, for aTenm,^
to give Prooi^ of my Loyalty andFaithfttIne%
which I hope I (hall always be able to fupport>
againft the Temptations of this World, So I:
conclude with my fincereand afi^ionate gobd
Wi(hes to you, with whom I will join my
Moth«: in Prayers for ever, ^ t

Matthew Bifho^i

'- When I bid London adieu, we all went a#
board bf a Hoy, and made the heft of ouf
Way to Harwich, There we continued fonie
time, till Recruits of other Regiments came
iip in order 'to go in the fame Veflcl. All the
time of our Continuance, we diverted ourfdves
with feme Feat of AAivity or other. One Day
in particular we were all extremely merry and
went to jumping by the Sea Banks. One Ser-
geant Littler^ belonging to Godfrefs Regi-*
ment, beat us all in jumping. Since, for his
Valor, he has obtained a Company in the firft
Regiment of Foot-guards. But as I obferved
before, we were daily playing the Wag, and as
Jocular as ever Men were all the time we flayed
there, and when we left that Place we fleered
ourCourfe for Hehoet Sluice \n Holland^ and
the Wind being fair for us, made it a plea-
fant Sail, As foon as we came there, theie
were Orders given for another Veflcl to carry us
to Safi Ghent. Before we could reach that
PlaCQ we met with ^ contrary Wind, v^hich very

much

of Mat¥^ t^B^iho^' tf%,f

linidi iiamaged oor VdH; 'tot all the Sailors
were vigorous and did their Buiinefs with
Courage. Iwasaffiftant to^em, for Ifpliced fe-
Tcnral Hopes that were broke in the Hurricane.
At the fame time, fomeof our Men were pro-
digiouiW affrighted, and others very iick, but I
did in iome mc^fure revive them by faying it
wss a Trifle and not worth fpeaking of, for
there was no Appearance of Danger before us.
By that Method I heartened them.

With fome Difficulty we arrived at Sajb
Gheftt, where we landed and had Orders to
march to Ghent ^ which is four Leagues diflant.
We were not long in marching that Ground
*>vcr, for all of us wanted to be at the Place of
s n iczvous. When we came there we found
hr our Regiment were in the Spanijh Cafllc,
which we made for. Then we were ordered to
tmx Barracks and on the Morrow we all received
our Arms and Accoutrements fitting for a Soldier.
As I was in a flrange Place, I had the Curio*
fity to walk in the Town, and was very inquifi-
tive in afking about every particular Thing that
was worth my Obfcrvation. Here I accidentally
met with feveral of my Countrymen, who
were oveijoy'd to fee me. They were Men of
Subfiance, and my particular Acquaintance,
which made my Continuance very agreeable.
They defircd to fee me often, without any Cere-
mony at all, and between them I had my chief
Subfiflence all the time I continued there. For
I frequently ufed to go to them, fo that I became
g^great Viiitor, But I always obfe;vcd to be
^■■^. • ready

L ;

*3S fbi L^e and Adviihtiires

Ka^y inttie Barraclfs when called (qt,. Yet ^
Meii beg^ to grow jealous of iii^ |binkii)g {
had HKire Favour ifaew<sd tm^^ ^tli^s, bjr
going out fo often. But liold |he^ that |
was forry fl»y gojng out Should create |n thein
fiich a Jealoufy, and tliat I had taken the fiber^
of myfelf. Then ther^ was a R^ort a^<leto^
Captain oi my Proceedings. But t|ie p^^ii
did not givf much Attention to k, asl Jbund iyyr
the Return of the Corporalj which was that m
Captain ^KHaght it too great a Fatigue for me,
to go out at Nights, as J was to learn my Exer>!>
ciie to be 5t to go into the Battalion. I made
Anfwer, that no one need be in Care for me.
In regard to my Exercife, as I was not ^ to ieek
for it, and would foon be able todoite&dual-
}y. So the Men finding the Report Jiad but
Jitde E£fe£t with regard to me, it filenced their
Clamour, and they never were guilty of thp
iame again, but always after {he\y€d me fame
JRefpedt, and were feemingly afraid to offend
me. And in truth I gave them no other room
than to be obferving j for my Behavipiir was
fuch that they could not well avoid it without
.being determined to keep out of my way, as
you will find.

As the Corporal had made fo favourable a
Report, I took him to the Canteen, and gave
him what he would drink. Before we parted
he told me, all the Recruits were to go out in
the Morning, and the OSicer would be there in
order to fee how they all performed. I told
him, I certainly would be there, that they

mig^tfte my Vmfmmc^, it bwg ife^ firft

time ihi( I M ^w put. wkh ^om. As ife?i3^

^th^O&c^n 4pDC^^ t)>e Adjutant p^^i^euied

im dnd /ki4 to me Corporal, wby 49 you ii^

kf.i^ Main to ^ with tbofe a^^wa^a Dog^,

and calkd oM^in fbii maancTj <9^ Chu4/ky comf

Urtp I ^jseyed lu$ Command, and a&ir he had

alk«d mc&verai Q^efiions, which I vtfy readi-*

iy t«foly'd, he (aid, /i^'V^ <^ Notion you can da

ymr Exenije. I told him, I tkop^M it m^

Duty tote conforma^ tp -the Wilt of the Corporal^

notsifitifianding I bad fome Idea tf the Thing-,

but to pleafe the Jgnorantt I came inta their Meor

fiares. With that bs dcfircd to fee ^nxeof my

Ferformaoce. Seiog a very hrifk Man he aded

y»ih his Cane, and defired I would o^ferve his

Motions and follow him.. After I h^ ^ done,

he defired I would go through it alone, acqord-^

ingly I did ; and with more Life and Vigor than

bcSsre. He finding that, detired the Corporal

.would not let me me go out, hut when the

Battalion went. So I took my farewel of ac«

companying the Recruits to exercife any longer.

But ttill I was for bri nging them forward as much

as polShly I could, for I took them all by turns,

and gave them a private Leflbn unknown to

any but myfejf, and I found that did in fome

meafuce improve myfelf, by giving me the true

^Air that a Soldier fhould have.

ty One Day I chanced to efpy the Major and

my Captain, as they were walking upon the

Parade, as I was diverting myfelf with ibme of

the Recruits. Sqon after, I heard a Voice call

mc.

I4<> 7^^ Ltife and Adventt^wei ..

me by rny Name, though I could hot diftipmUh
whotle it was at firft. But the iecbnd (^ i
pei^ived it was the Captain's. With that I ra||
to him ; and as foon as I appeared before hini^
he fpoke to the Major, and faid, tbis is the Man
the Mjutant told us of, The Major faid/ be^
hoped I would turn out a good Matty and accord-*
ing to my Behaviour Ijhouldhe preferred. Withi
that I faid, G^;7//<?/»^, you will findy that aU my
"Proceedings will he deferving if Fortune favours
me, I gave them the Oeconomy of my Beha-
viour in the Sea Service, with which they were
highly diverted, and each gave me a double
Shilling. Though at that time I had Money
enough, yet I thought it would be a piece of
Rudenefs to refufe a Gentleman's Kindnefs,
therefore I accepted it. But nothing vexed me,
but being grudged it by the Recruits, which t
found out by their faying one to another ; when
will the Captain ferve us fof On my hearing
that, I faid to them. Come, my Boys, the Major
and Captain have given us fomething in order to
make ourfelves merry withal, therefore by Con-
fent let us all go and drink their Healths, I did
this to prevent their imagining that the Officers
had not as much regard for them as for me, at
leaft I endeavoured to make it appear fo to them:
For I was always afraid of the evil Influence of
Jealoufy, which renders Mankind capable of
performing every Thing that is bad: And it
was ever my Study to prevent it's bad EfFedls.
Officers, efpecially, ought to be careful of di£-
gudlng tbofe under their Command, by arbi*

trary

'l?

^fgudifccs agalnft citt<l^ more than anodier^
as it often proves &tal to them in time of Adion*
But if all Mankind was of my Mind, thero
Would not be fuch Slaughter amongft the Officers
as there fometimes is. I will aver, a good Of*
iicer I prifed as the Apple of my Eye, and I
have .often expofed my ov^n Body to the Shot^
with a View to fave a good Commander, efpe^
cially wht I* -5 found them '"r-'^v/hat flow
to enter upon Adcion ; for, they were not always
difpofed to be vigorous till after the fecond ot
third fire. Then indeed none fo a^ive as they;
Providence has directed me to aid and afliil
Thoufands, and I was proud of doing a good
Office to my Superiors, as well as to my
Inferiors. Thus I fought from a good Prin*
ciple, and had the good Fortune to efcape all
Dangers, as the Reader will find. }^^

In the Spring, we marched from Ghent, to
a certain Place where we encamped, I think it
was about a League from Ukey, though we
continued there no longer than one Night, and
in the Morning had Orders to march to Auter^
dam, a place of Rendezvous. While we conr
tinned there, I was prodigioufly adtive in in*
venting feme new Proje(5t or other, and one in
Particular I remember well. As there was a
general Complaint amongft our Men for want
of Liquor, I confulted within myfelf, how I
might produce fomething unexpedtedly. When
my Confultation was over, I was fully deter-
mined to life the utmoft of my Endeavour to
bring my Intentions to Perfcdion, which was

as.

II

1

1 +« Tie Life dnd Ad^nturu

asfolkmd. Ifn'ev&ileidaponfomeofSirilM^^
*temfk\ Men to go i^k>jng lirith mc, to pravcnt;
out Meii fttfoedtinj; wfa«t Strsitiffieiii I had &&i
oh for their KelkfT I thought me moit intcar^
pelted it Was, the more kindly it would here*
eeh^ed, and it would give morePleafiire in the
End to keep them in Sti^nce for fomeTime.
For thefe Reafons I thought it prudent not td
let any of our Men know my Intentions, ex^
cept thofe I took with me. AH the other I er-1
duded from tb^ Secret as the Reader will find.
I nuirched with the aforefaid Sir RscbardTem^
pk*s Men, to a certain PlaCfc of the River, where
I jumped in. The clear Bottom deceived me
greatly, but I made (hift to ford it, though my
Head did nbt appear above one Inch upon the
Sur^ce of the Water. All the other Men (aid
they would fee me over before they would at-
tempt it, and when I had got over, they were
intimidated till Shame got the better of their
Fear, for they were much taller Men than f.
None of us could fwim, which was a Diiad^
vantage to us at that Junftureof Time : Though
we had the good Fortune to get over fafe but
with fome Difficulty. But the Thoughts, or the
Sight of fome Houfes on that fide, ftifled every
Thought of dangerous' Obftrudioris in our way.
At a diftance the Houfes appeared as if they
Would produce fbmething good, or at leaft
what our Men much wanted. We went to feve-
ral and ufed them fo civilly, that they were not
under any Apprehenfions of what we wanted.
But I did that with a View to fee what Stock

2 of

c/* Matthew BisHalp; 1432

of Liqttor they bad^ Then I eame rondd ta

tbe Bxtt I went to, and demanded a Barrel of

Beer. 1 think the Veflel mieht contain about

fifty Oahorts, ff^incbefler McafurC; The PeopU

were unwilling to part with it, but I told them

I thought they coulci very well /pare one out of

fb many, and after a pretty long Conference^

ihey complied with our Requeft and were ex*

trcmely civil. But all their Care was, how we

ffiottld carry it. I tdd them I would go to one

Houfe more, and call as we came back. Yet

I thought it would be prudent to let one Man

flay and watch it, left they fhould put. any

f hiiig in it, that might be pernicious and de**

llnid^c to us. Thus I kept a watchfiil Eye

oyer them, to prevent the. evil Influence of their

Envy. For I was not fure but they might en*-

venbm the Whole, without any Remorfe of

Confciencc. And I thought it a Thing of fo

great Confequencc that we could not bs too

careful. I found they had fome Sufpicion of

my Jealoufy, anditcaufed them to fay mor6

than was agreeable j but I did not mind their

il^ Words. I thought there was a Duty incum-

H nt upon me fteadily to profecute what I had

undertaken, without minding other Perfons

Refledlions. By that Means I was very Illuftri-

ous amongfl Men of my ProfefTion, and had

the Efteem and Approbation of my Superiors,

as the Reader will find, after this Stratagem iis

over. When we left the Houfe, I defired the

Man would obfcrve my Commands while I

went to Vifit another. When we came there,

the

I
!

ii

144. The Life and Adventures

the People were feemingly in a Q^dary, and
fomewhat furprifed. Therefore liaidy Let no-
thing daunt you^ for we are not come with an In^
tent to do you an Injury ; but for what lam cer^
tain you mil not deny us, A Barrel of the fame
Beer nve tafted before wiU be very acceptable %
as you have a fufficient ^antity^ you will bard"
ly mijs that. Whether it was through Fear or
Adonifhment, I cannot &y, but they very rea-
dily granted our Requeft, and I believe they
would have given us any Thing. But I abomi-
nate an unreafonable Creature ; therefore I would
not fufier any one to do an ill Thing in my
Company. Mod of them knew my Temper
fb well that they feldom attempted to do any
Thing but what I approved of, and one may
needs think it was a great Pleafure to me to iee
them all fo condefcending. Even all I con-
verfcd with were very fubmiffive, and I took
Delight in making up their Deficiencies. Yea
at that Time I valued my Station preferable to,
that of a commiilioned OfHcer : So that I was
never defirous of any other Preferment, than
what Fortune would oblige me to receive by
flying into my Arms. And in tmth, one fel-
dom hears of any Preferment without earnefl
ApplicatioL.' and Solicitations, but that was
contrary tc r.^y Nature, for my Employment
and Study v/ere chiefly amongft theCommonalty,
in redreffing Grievances, and by fo doing I gain-
ed great Applaufe, ss you will find in the whole
Com fe of my Life.

But

' df Matt ktL^ Bishop. 145

*' But I think it will be requifice to acquaint
the Worldi how I contrived to bring the twb
Vcflels of Beer to our Regiment. Firftof all,
we borrowed fome Cords^ but with an intent
never to return them again, though the Peo-
ple very readily furni(hed us with what I thought
ii'fficient. Then we got both Veflels together
and rolled them down to the River fide. Here
we made u(e of our Cords, and tied them both
together and fet them afloat. I had a long Rope
}n my Hand, and others had long Poles to keep
it from the Bank fide. This was our Method
of drawing it along the Water, till we came as
far as it was necefl^ry. Then I encouraged the
Men by faying that they were gallant Men and
afraid of nothing, and it fo appe^^redj for they
all got into the Water, though it was above
their Depth in fome places 3 but they all flrug-
gled through, and when they were upon the
other fide, I threw the Rope over fo as they
might pull it, and I jumped acrofs the Veflels,
and in this manner got over upon dry Land.
When I was over, I found there was fome Dif-
ficulty in getting the Veflels out of the Water,
but at laft I invented a Thing that did it very
eafily. I drove two Pieces of Wood into the
Earth and tied two Ropes to them, then I put
the Ropes under the Veflfels and brought them
over the Middle of«each, and with great care
forewarned the Men to pull fteady . They ob-
ferved my Diredtions, and it anfwered my In-
tent. Then we had not far to go before we

L came

I

146 Tie Life and Adventures

came to our Regiment, where we had Speda-
tors enough to m what we had got.

Then I iaid to the Men that were my Ai^
fiftants, take one Vefiel and difbofe of it as you
think proper. With that they fold it for Three*
pence a Feltmate, a Meafure that contains about
three Pints EngUJh^ and when they had diipoi^
ed of all theirs, I thought proper to difpofe of
mine, in this manner; I gave every Man that
thought it worth coming after, as much as he
could conveniently drink, and when I had fo
done defired they would fetch their Canteens,
as we were to march on the Morrow. I told
them that I thought it would be very acceptable
upon the March, and while I was filling their
Canteens, there came two Officers up to me,
and afked me feveral Queftions which I readily
refolved, and they were highly diverted to fee
my Tranfadtion; and when they left me they
faid one to the other, that Man has a Paternal
Love and his Intentions are jufl. I could not
help thinking it was faying a great deal of me,
but I knew at that time that a Word from me,
had as much Influence over the Men, as any
Officers Orders belonging to our Regiment,
More than that, if I held up my Hands they
knew what it meant; and I could have Huor
dreds to obey my Command by a word fpeaking^
Therefore no one can conceive, the Happinefi
that I concealed in my own Breafl. Nay, if
they had given me a Company I don't think it
would have been any Addition to my Joy, aa it

I was

Af-

^Matthew Bishop. 147

was in a fuperlative Degree. For I would not
have the World think that Happinefs confifts
altogether in fuch a Sphere of Dignity, as Pre-
ferment, which certainly is due to none but
thofe that deferve it. I cenfure no Man; only
give me leave to fpeak the true Sentiments of
my Heart, before I go any farther ; I was aa
happy in my Station, and enjoyed as much
Peace and Satisfaction in my own Breail, as pol^
fibly the Duke of Marlborough could in his. No
Man was fuperior to me in that, or happier
than I was. I can challenge the whole Glole,
upon the fame.

C H A P. XX.

ne Author leaves Autredam, and marches to
Bruffels : l^he manner of his being taken Pri*
finer by the French and bis Ef cape from them*

AS I have acquainted the World of the
true Diipofition of my Heart, and the
Oeconomy of my Behaviour hitherto, I (hall
now proceed forward to the reft of my Adlions.
The Relation is my own,and I n'^ver will difown
any Fad contained in it; but I d all receive an
additional Comfort to my Veracity if I live to
fee, and anfwer all the Objedions and Afperfions
eaft upon my Reputation. But as to my Lan-
guage I hope the Reader will be candid enough
to excufe it; and have no loom to diilike
my Actions, as they were performed with Fer-
vency, as he will find.

L 2 When

'

<n

148 71)6 Life and Adventures

When we left Autredam, we marched in
the Road for Bruffels^ and when we came un-
der the Walls it rained prodigioufly. Though
it was in the Night our Men were not in tibe
lead difcouraged, and at the Dawn of the Day
we were in hopes the Rain would ceafe. But
it continued with the fame Conflancy as before.
I was pleafed to fee our Men were not in the
leafl difheartened, and it plainly appeared fo.
For we had made a very expeditious March,
and it was requiiite fo to do, as the French were
upon a direft Line, and we had a half Moon
to go round ; and when fo there is no halting
till we have accomplifhed our Intent, and as
good Luck would have it we did fo. But at
the fame time Night and Day were our Com-
panions : Yet we gloried in our Bravery and
were all animated to a great Degree, fo that
we prevented the French of the Ground at
Maldoar, Had we not we fhould have loft a
very plentiful Encampment, where all Kinds of
Provilion were reafonable enough, which fuited
moft of our Men beft.

At the time of Harveft, I was upon Guard at
the Duke of Marlborough's Quarters, and at
that Jundure of Time, there were Orders to go
a foraging for the Duke. I remember well, we
went beyond Tarlemount^ and entred into a Field
of Wheat, where fome were bound and fome
unbound. Though had it all been in Sheaves,
we (liould have been more expeditious than we
were. Notwithftanding the Condition it was in,
we loaded ten Waggons in lefs then an Hour;

and

^ Matthew Bjshop. 149

and when we had fo done, as we were coming
from that Place, at a narrow Pafs there were
fbme Difputes arofe, and they were determined
we fhould not come that way. Upon this, I
went up to them and faid. Gentlemen^ I hope
you will not refufe this Forage. They afked me,
whofe it was ? I told them, then they changed
their Notes and faid pafs here Marlborough^ all
is welcome that belongs to him. I was feniible
that his Name would have fome Influence over
them, knowing that never a Man in the known
World bore fuch an extenlive Charader as he
did. I have often faid to our Men, by way of
Encouragement, that the Name of him is better
than ten thoufand Men-, and it was very juftly
obferved. For it ftruck a Terror wherever it
went, and it was of a great Extent. But yet,
at the fame time his Enemies loved him for his
good Ufage. I muft needs confefs, that the
known World could not produce a Man endu'd
or capable of more Humanity than he was, and
all Honour was due to him, for what he pro-
mifed he would perform, and for his Wifdom
and exteniive Goodnefs, God profpered all his
Undertakings and Endeavours. I could fee it,
daily, therefore I thought it my Duty to inti-
mate it to others, left they fhould any ways
be intimidated by any Notions whatfoever, that
might be hurtful to us.

When we left Meldoar we marched all Night
for ./f«r/<2 where we encamped at aDiftance,
and to the beft of my Knowledge, when we
W^re come to the Ground appointed for the

L 3 faid

I

I

I I

!l

150 Tie Life and Adventures

faid Camp, it was about twelve o'Gock,
Then every Man was to get fomething to lye
upon, in order to keep hin) from the Sur^sice
of the Earth. I fpy'd at a great diftance a
Boor's Houie. With that my Comrade aiid I
agreed to go both together, thinking to get fome
Straw, but were prevented as you will find :
For my Companion was deprived of his Life,
by the Partimn Party, and I very fortunately
efcaped loiing mine. I impute my Prefervation
to Providence, as they fiaOi'd in the Pan at me.
As it was fo ordered, I was obliged to furrender
and put myfclf under their Jurifdidtion, till
Opportunity would ferve, to make my Efcape.
Which I did as prudent as I could, by giving
way to all their Propofals. Though I was (b
condefcending, they behaved to me in a barba-
rous, cruel and inhuman Manner. In the firfl
place, two Men, in whofe Cuftody I was left,
took my Waiflcoat from me,and likewife deprive
ed me of all I had in piy Pockets. Nothing vex'd
me, but their taking from me a Silver Snuff-box,
in which my Wife's Piifturc was concealed.
That in fome Meafure would have rendered
me capable of deflroying them, had I been the
lead armed in Life, as I began to be refolute,
for they punch'd me with their Firelocks till I
began to be very fore and feeble from the Eiiedt
of thcr Blows. But I thought it in vain to
contend with thofe Villains, being unarmed,
and nothing on but my Shirt to fkreen me froni
their Cruelty. As the Partifan Party had left
me to the cj^se of thofe two Men, I l^clieve they

m

o'clock.
I to lye
; Surtice
ftance a

;et fbme
ill find :
lis Life,
:unately
ervation
1 at me.
irrcnder
on, till
Efcape.
giving
was (b
I barba-
he firft
as left,
dcpriv-
jvex'd
ff-box,
cealed.
nder'd
en the
folate,

Btilll

Effka
m to
rmed^

froni
|i left

they

(?i4

^ Matthew Bishop, 151

did not think that I was a human Creature by
their Ufage, for I thought they had given me
fufficient, though I found it otherways. For
when they had taken me into a thick place in
the WooQ, they threw me down, and took all
the Money out of my Breeches Pockets. I think
it was about twenty two double Shillings they
had tslken from me, and that would not fatisfy
them, but they were for taking the Buckles out
of my Shoes. Thofe 1 was unwilling to part
from, therefore I made fome Refiftance till I was
altiioft fpent, through the Weight of their Fire-
locks over all patts of my Body. Even my poor
Head was beat to a Mummy, that it was fwell-
edas big as two Heads. The Party hearing me,
fent the Corporal, and as foon as he came he
was in a violent Rage with them, for their ill
Ufage. Then he faid to me, Get up Country-
fnariy a Hair of your Headjhall not he wronged.
I was fcarce able to make him an Anfwcr, but
yet I did as well as I cduld, though I was ex-
ceflively low fpirited, and fcarce able to (land
on my Legs. But I was like a Cock that
crows as long as he can. Therefore I faid, Sir^
I (hould not have valued my Hair, had they
not bruifed my Flefh, and not only that, but
taken my Mone^ and Snuff-box, nay they would
have deprived me of iny Life, had not you
come at this Jundlure. The Corporal fceming-
ly had fome Humanity in him. I underdood
he meant they were as bad as their Colledlors
or Highwaymen that can't be contented with
Money but muft bereave People of their Lives,

. L 4 which

i

15? iT^e Life and Adventures

which I think intolerable. I could perceive
vthaX he faid to them had a great Influence over
them, and put them in a panick Fear. Then
I thought there was a Duty incumbent on me,
to render him Thanks for his Civilities.

When I had fo done, they took me to the
Party 5 and the Officer afked, Whether I was
willing to ferve my own King ? I told him, /
would do any thing rather than lye Prifoner j but
yet lam afraid Ijhall be but of little Service ta
any, after the barbarous Ufage I have received
from the Hands of thofe two Villains, He de-*
iired to know their Cruelty. Then I faid, Sir^
J will tell you my Grievance. If you would be
pleafed to reftore to me the leafi Glimpfe of your
Favour^ I beg you to order thofe Men to return
what they very poj/ibly may.call their own. With
that he began to talk to them more than X
rould iinderftand. But th^y very readily gave
ine all they had taken from pie. Then I faid,
iS/r, after they had taken this from me^ they
ffruifed me in this Manner^ that I am fear ce a-
ble to lye^ walL or Jland; and not a$e to put
my Hands fo high as my Head, I qnderftood
that he defired I would pull off ray Shirt;
therefore I did, and was lurprifed myfelf, to
fee my Flefli appear like a Niegro's. The Ofr-
ficer, feeing what a Condition I was in, gave
Orders immediately that they fliould be fecured.
With that they were difarpied and taken ^way
by a File of Mufketeers. I muft needs own,
the Officer was extremely civil, and hoped I
fnight do \vell again, and that I (hould not

wan^

^ Matthew Bishop, 153

want for Encouragement, if I would continue
with them. Then he ordered me what I had
a Mind to eat. It being at a Boor's Houfe, I
had a Mind to have fome new Milk turned
into a Poflet. J thought that might fomewhat
revive me, as I felt myTelf prodigioufly feeble. I
found myfelf flpk at the Heart, and was in a
gre^t Agony ; therefore I thought hot Suppings
would be befl to nourilh the inward Man, and
drive out any thing that might be corruptible
by the Influence of thofe Blows. The Method
I took J believe was my Prefervation ; fori oft*
en thought that I was juft going to expire.
Though after I had eaten, I began to be chear-
ful; and the^Officer, feeing I was a little more
lively than before, clapped me on the Back,
and faid, Come, never jear, you will do again,
I don't doubt » And they all were very jocular
one with another. But I was prodigioufly
thoughtful as we walked from that Place, con-
triving how I might make my Efcape from
their Hands, Being exceflively fore and feeble,
I began to reflect with myfelf, that tjieir Cra-
cky was owing to my Obftinacy, in not giving
Way to all their unreafonable Commands ;
which a Man ought to do, when environed
round by fuch inhuman Creatures, who have
no Remorfe of Confcicnce, or Compaflion for
any of our Religion 3 but would facriflce us all,
if in their Power. As I was thinking, they
efpied three more Men, whom they took Pri-
foners j and had I not been there, they would
J^ave ihot at them 3 bjut piy faying, Doritjhoot

thenix

i

154 .l!he Life and Adventures

them, it noill be much better to preferve their
Lives, by aiming atfomething elfe ; and I Mt
gueftion but it 'will intimidate them to juch a
Degree, that they mil furrender^ and readily
come intd your Meafures^ had fome Influence
on them, and reftrained them from adting like
our Englijh Sportfmen, who let fly at the Game
as foon as it appears. I can compare it to no-
thing elfe, as they gave us no Quarter. And I
ufed to fay, they were like Foxes feeking their
Prey, but yet afraid when they met any, to
rencounter with them. They are Men that
will (hew their Dexterity upon thofe that have
nothing to defend themfelves. Their Valout
confifls in that only : For I found out their
Natures prefently; and was furprif^d to find
Mankind could be guilty of fuch Inhumanity^
I grew very impatient e'er I deferted them^
but I began to pleafe myfelf with the Thoughts,
that they would not in the leaft fufpefi: my
making my Efcape, as I was almoft difabled.
As ^e were marching from one Place to zno*
ther, all in the Evening, of a fudden, I heard
the Tattoo of the Englijh Army beat. That
animated me to fuch a Degree, that I could
fcarce feel the Ground I walked upon ; though
I kept my Joy to myfelf. For I was deter--
mined in nvy own Mind to fly from the F^ench^
as foon as I faw an Opportunity, or a conve^
nient Place, let the Confequence be what it
would $ and accordingly I did. As we were in
a Wood, I accidentally £iw a Path upon the
right, though I was at firfl afraid to venture

into

anto

c^Matthew Bishop. 155

into it. But Courage foon darted into me, and
I ran for my dear Life. They did not fo much
as fire one Piece after me ; by which I found
they did not perceive me; it being fo exceffive
dark amongft the Trees. I think I ran ahnoft
two Miles in the Wood, and at laft very form-
nately came upon the right of the Englijh Line.
As I appeared, the Sentinel belonging to our
Allies advanced Guard immediately challenged
me, and obliged me to ftand. I very readily
complied. Then he called a Corporal; and
when he came, he bid me advance, and oblig-
ed me to follow his Horfe as cloie to his Tail
as I could conveniently walk. Behind me there
was another with his drawn broad Sword in his
Hand, and that was the Method they took to
condud me to the grand Guard. When they
had fo done, the Cheers examined me before
I could be admitted to go any farther. I made
them as feniible of my Condition as I could,
which gave them fome Satisfadlion. So when
I had explained myfelf in every Particular as
well as I could, they gave Orders for a File of
Mufketeers to convey me to the Quarter Guard.
When I came there, I fo intimated to the Of-
ficer, that I had pafl all my Examinations, and
all my Conveyances, that I was exempted from
any farther Interruption : I had anfwercd when
challenged, and I thought that was fufHcient.
My Tongue was in a perpetual Motion, till I
came to Wehh\ Regiment ; for the Flank and
Quarter Guard were continually challenging
flje, Th? Multiplicity of Words made me fo

Jioarfe,

I

156 Hie Life and Adventurer

hoarfe, that I was obliged to evacuate, to pre-*
vent any Diiputes that S-equently arife from the
unthinking Man. Though I was much jaded
before I could enjoy the Sight of our Regiment,
I have often thought that my Nature was inde-
£itigable. I had Caufe enough to complain at
that Jundure ; but yet I was pleafed in my own
Mind, to think that I was arrived, though with
Ibme Difficulty, and in great Agony. When
I came to the Regiment I belonged to, they
were all feemingly in high Spirits at my Re-
turn \ efpecially thoie that had any Knowledge
of me. J was furprifed to fee that general De-
ledation for fo iniignificant a Thing as me.
After they had congratulated one another upon
my Return, they told me, they heard my
Voice above a Mile. Then the Serjeant, be-
longing to the Company I viras in, defired that
I would go with him to the Capt&in ; and when
I came to his Tent, the Serjeant told him that
I was come back. With that he defired I would
walk in j and when I appeared before him, he
afked me feveral Queilions. Then I was oblig-
ed to difcover the Enemy's barbarous Ufage of
me. He told me, it was well they did not be-
reave me of my Life; and perceiving a Change
in me, gave me a large Glafs of Wine, and de»
iired I would go to my Tent, and lap myfelf
up warm ; for by fo doing I might enjoy my
perfedt Health again. Likewife he faid he would
talk to the Colonel on the Morrow about my
Adventures, "^

Juft

he

o/* Matthew Bishop, 157

Jufl as I parted from the Captain, there was
a poor Fellow came running up to me, feem-
ingly ftruck with Fear in fuch a manner, that it
was infupportable and he could fcarce utter his
Words: Yet I prefently underftood what lie
meant. Wherefore I told him that the young
Man that was with me unfortunately loft his
Life, and he was quite dead before 1 left him,
for I was not a Yard from him when he dropt.
Then I found he wanted me to defcribe his
Perfon, and when I had fo done, he faid, it was
my Brother, He was tormented with ex-
ceilive Grief, and wept fo prodigioufly that I
thought I (hould never have been able to have
pacified him. Yet I ufed the utmoft of my En-
deavours to bring him to underftand, that all
Flefh was born to die, and at laft my Applica-
tions had fome Influence on him, and ne was
convinced what I faid was right. I was glad
to fee my Difcourfe had it*s defired ££Fed):, but
at the fame time I was very unfit to expofe my
Body to the cold ; but it was not my Nature
to leave any one in Agony, when in my Power
to relieve them. Therefore, I thought there
was a Duty incumbent upon me to unwrap or
unfold my Sentiments, when required.

It is no Advantage to any one to bury their
Talents in the Ground, and yet there are thou-
fands, who fcorn to have any Converfation with
their Inferiors 5 but I think it is an Adt of Pru-
dence, to fhew their Affability, let a Man be
in the higheft Degree of Dignity. They little
I think

158 Tie Life and Adventurer

think what Encouragement it gives tlie Com-
tnonalty of Mankind i if they did, they would
not carry themfelves fo iliff, nor thirft after
that ambitious overrating Spirit ; or that Diabo-
lipal Nature that increa^eth from a fmall Spark
of Encouragement : Therefore if a Man would
but refledt with himfelf, I dare hy he would
find it as I have obferved. Though I think it
impoflible for a Man to be infeniible of thefe
my Sentiments, even the meanefl Capacity in
Life, if they indulge a calm Reflexion. But
if they are above looking upon the Ground, it
18 hard to diftinguifh the different Produce that
proceedeth from it. Now the Man that gives
trae Atf^ntion can difcern the different Natures
<xf every tiling that fpfingeth forth. O how
fweet, nay it caufed in me infuperable Delight,
when I had reftrained them from a bad Incli*
nation ! I took Delight in fo doing. The pooe
Man for the Lofs of his Brother would have laid
violent Hands upon himfelf, had not I prevent-
ed him, therefore I rejoiced that what I faid
had fo good an Effed. And if what I could
fay, had that Influence, what mufl.Men of
prc^und Knowledge and Experience have done?
Though I will leave the World to reflcA a little,
while I go to my Tent in order to reft myfclf.

CHAR

^Matthew Bishop. 159

CHAP. XXL

Account of the battle ^Oudenard j and of fore*
ing the French Lines fy the Duke of Argyki
Toe Author goes into garters with an ac*
count of their Oeconomy in the Barracks : En--
comiums on the good ConduSi oj the Generals
of the Allies : End of the Campaign in 1707.

WH E N I came there, I laid myfelf down,
and I had but jufl laid my Eyes to-
gether, before I heard the General beat, with
that I got up, and looked about me, and it was
not bng after that before they beat to Arms
or the Trois, and marched foon after. The
Officers would have had me to have (laid be-
hind and come up with their Baggage, but I beg-
ged they would excufe me, and let me go with
the Regiment, fo long as I had Hand or Limb
to help myfelf. Thofe Words prevailed upon
them to let me go. I gratefully acknowledged
it as a Favour that was I not excluded, but ad-
mitted to go with, my Brother Soldiers. I think
it was a little after two in the Morning before
we left the Camp, and very late before v^ came
to the Ground marked out for us that Night.
In the Morning early we marched for Oudenard^
where yrt had Bufinefs enough as it fell out;
but the Day being far fpent, and the Night
drawing near, and thick and cloudy withal,
prevented us doing a great deal more Executi-
on than we didj though we had the Advan-
tage

Ih

1

1^0 7%e Life and Adventures

tagc of them. You will find^ ' j P.egimcnt I
belonged to took Part of the ii^i^aJc^ but I
could not help pleafing myfelf at our Appear-
ance. The French were very merry with their
Drums and Pipes, who made a great Harmo-
ny \ but we foon changed their mufical and
harmonical Notes, by the Salute of a warm
Fire, that made great Havock amongft them,
and put them into great Confudon. I could not
help thinking it was owing to God's providen-
tial Power that we got the better of them, as
they had the Advantage of us in the Ground,
and likewiie were fuperior in Number ; which
are two great Articles. Befides, we had juft
come off a long March, which was more ex-
traordinary. But we beat them till we obliged
them to relinquKh all their Pofls, and retire
in great Hafte j though we were not in a Capa-
city to follow them ; but continued there in or-
der to bury our Dead on the Morrow.

But here I think proper to tell you how we
difpofed of the Prifoners. We took them to
Oudenard'y but when ve firft took them, there
happened to be an obftinate Frenchman that r&-
flfted, and refufed to lay down his Arms s
though he was juil before the Colour Platoon.
One Enfign Turner, a very adive young Man,
therefore ran up to him^ with the Colours in
his Hand, and obliged him to lay his Arms
down by Violence, though he unfortunately
broke the Colours about a Foot, and it was
clone by the Buckle of his Pouch. But the
Frenchman for his Qbftinacy was clofely con-
fined. An-

^Matthew Bisho?. 161

Another Thing I wds under a great Concern
for was, that the Lieutenant, who belonged to thd
Company that I did, was (hot through the
Head* I had Reafon fufficient to be concern-
ed; for he was a particular Friend of mine)
and I believe if he had lived, I might podibly
have received a great many Favours ; for as ho
fpokc with a great deal of Sincerity, I think
one might have confided in him* He feeming<>
ly was a Man that had a great deal of Sagacity,
which I thought might have turned out greatly
to our Advantage $ and we could very ill (pare
fuch Men, efpecially at that critical Jundure«
I was ilruck fo much that I could not reft in
my Mind, neither could I deep though I want-*
ed Reft, as I was not recovered of the .ill Ufage
which I had received from the French before*
But by this I received no Damage at all, only
was in Pain for my Fellow-Creatures, efpecial-
ly in the Morning when I came to viiit the
Dead, in order to bury them.

I found, the Number of the Enemy's ilain
exceeded ours ; and this pleafed me much, as
it was an undeniable Proof of our having got
the Vidtory, However, I was a little furprifed
to fee that the Danijh Guards had been cut off
in fuch a Manner as they were. I remember
well, that they filled a very long Ditch $ and
we were obliged to lay them Heads and Points,
or double ; fo that there was a large Piece of
Ground enriched with human Blood, befides
great Quantities of dead and wounded that
were carried into Houfes. I had a Mind to fee

M . all

1

ir I

•I
>i

I.

fii

»: '
i'i i

162 Tie Life and Adventures

all I could; but k would have made a Heart of
Flint bleed, to fee and hear the bitter Groans
of thole that were jufl expiring.

When I had ieen all I could, I chanced, to
efpj, at a great Diftance, a Horic amongft the
ftanding Cbrn. With that I made up to it, and
took my Garters off, as he appeared to be a
Horfe worth eight or ten Pifloles. But when
I came to examine him, he was not worth one,
for he was (hot in the Thigh ; and I did not
think my felf Farrier fufHcient, or good enough,
to cure him. Therefore I left him, that he
might pafs the Examination of others that
might have more Skill than me. In the Even-
ing I found there were Detachments of our
Army, in Number Thirty Thoufand Men, al-
lotted, in order to attack the French Lines, under
the Command of the Duke of Argyll, We
marched all Night. Our Generals behaved
with a great deal of Condud in that Expediti-
on ; for they fent the Artillery before, and all
their Appurtenances fitting for our Uie, that
they might be ready at our Appearance. I was
one of the firfl upon Command, and in the
Front. We flung our Firelocks, and every
Man had a Shovel in his Hand; and when we
came to the Place appointed, we ran up upon
their Works. It was like running up the Side
of a Houfe. When we got to -the Top, we
began to throw it down as fail as we could, in
order to make Way for the Army. Here I
could not help pleafing myfelf to fee how the
' French ran from their Watchhoufcs, in fuch
' v-' • /' ■ '• ,a great

p

leart of
Groans

need, to
igft the
I it, and
to be a
it when
rth one,
jid not
inough,
that he
rs that
; Even-
of our
[en, al-
s, under
. We
)ehaved
rpediti-
and all

, that

I was
in the

every
len we
> upon
le Side
)p, we
uld, in
^ere I
Dw the
fuch

great

^ MAttMEW BiSttOPj l6j

great Hade, as if they endeavoured to makd
their Efcape, left any thing (hould befal them ;
for had they flaid, there was great Likelihood
they would have had their Heads broke. Then
I faid to our Men, Look yonder^ we hanie Jur^
prijed them, and they are ftruck 'with a panick
Fear already j therefore let us make Way that
we may follow them, I muft needs iay, we
were not long before we had made the Ground
fitting for our Army to march on \ So we made
ourfelves Mafter of the Line without any Op->-
pofition at all.

When we had accompliflied oiir Intent, we
were all very well fatisfied, and thought Reft
would be very agreeable after our long Fatigue^
Therefore we confentcd to lye down on our
Arms. After we had refreftied ourfelves with
moderate Sleep, my Comrade began to be very
hungry} at leaft be made great Complaints^
and faid, he was determined to go and feo
what that Part of the World would afford him<
With that he went by himfelf j but I having a
great Value for the Man, and afraid left any
Accident fhould happen to him, went after
him, but could not find him for a conflderable
Time, though I made as ftridt an Inquifition as
I could, but received no Tidings of him j there-
fore I was vexed in my own Mind, that I did
not go along with him. At laft I accidentally
met with him by turning to the right, and I
could difcern he v\^as driving fomething before
him, but could not diftinguifh what it was, till
I came near him. Then I foand he had got a

. M 2 large

164 Tie Life and Adventures

large Lamb, but he had tied his Garters toge-
ther, and like wife tied them to his Leg. I
toid him, I thought it was a very uncommon
Way of driving a Sheep or Lamb; therefore
faid, Come let me learn you a better Method
than this ; for this is like driving a Pig 5 but a
Lamb requires to be carried. With that I tied
his Legs together, and threw him over my
Shoulders. But as the Man's Name was James
hamh^ I purpofed a great deal of Mirth when
we came to the Company, though I did not
acquaint him of my Intentions, but kept my

^ Intentions as clofe as I could, till we came there.
Then I obferved in this Manner, and faid, Gen-

, ' tlemeny this Day fome thing extraordinary has
happened to us, it will be the Worlds IVonder.
They could not imagine what I meant, but the
fecond Intimation gave them a true Idea of it,
' which was in this Manner. Gentlemen^ there
never was more Likelihood of Plenty J than when
me Lamb produces another ; we certainly Jhall
have a great Produce in Time^ if we digeji this
agreeably. Upon thefe Words, the Lamb was
taken to the Slaughterer's, and my Comrade
had fcarce Patience for it to be cold, after it
was killed. Wherefore I thought it would fuf-
fice his Appetite, by giving him the Fry to eat ;
though he was under feme Apprehenfions that
, I intended to give the biggeil Part of it away.
I was feniible that would not be altogether a-
greeable to him, as he was of a covetous Dif-
pofition, quite contrary to my Nature. There-
fore I kept him iji Siifpence, and would not fa-

' 2 tisfy

was
irade
:er it

fuf-

eat;

that

tisfy

^ Matthew Bishop. 165

tisfy him of the full Intention of, my Heart, nor
no one that was guihy of fuch Voracity. I
found by Experience, that the chief Produce
of Greedinefs and Gluttony was Indolence;
therefore I would never encourage any one that
Way inclined. On the Morrow, I took half
the Lamb and roaded it ; and invited whom I
thought fit; and we made a very plentiful Meal.
Likewiie after it we were exceflively merry in
drinking Succefs to the Lamb, hoping that it
might produce one every Week. The Lamb
was flruck dumb, and would not fpeak one
Word for a confiderable T'ime. Therefore it
appeared to me as if we fliould not be any the
better for the next : But I was glad to fee that
he had fuch Condudl in him, not to be guihy
of Infamy, nor any thing that was bafe : And
I extolled him for his Affability. Then he be-
came one of us, and was as jocofe as the bed
of us. So his Countenance was Toon changed
from an ill natured Look to every Thing that
was pleafant and agreeable. So I think he de
ferved to be commended, and every one, that
doth not carry Refentment to frch an Extre-
mity, as to harbour Malice, or any Malignity
whatfoever. The Methc J I took, was to ac-
knowledge their Virtues, and encourage them
to perfevere in Good. So ever after, inllcad of
giving Way to the beforementioned Sullennefb',
he would often be making fome Kind of Jelt
about the Lamb; therefore he went by the
Name, ynmes Lamb has loft the Lamh, It
was given him by his own Approbation. Thus

M 3 there

I!

^

m

I'

If

>

X 66 7"^^ Life and Adventures

there was nothing but Mirth, and fpme Feat of
Adlivity or other, daring the Time of our Con*
tinuance at that Ground ; efpecially at our lei-
fure Moments, when Time would permit.

When we left that Ground, we marched to
9 beautiful Plain, where we adorned our Camp
with Boughs and Flowers, that made it as plea*
fant as a Nobleman's Garden in England, We
did it very dextcroufly, in fuch a Manner, that
}t fkreened us from the Heat of the Sun. And
I very well remember, it was exceffively hot at
that Time, But we were well fortified againft
it} for you could fcarce perceive any fuch
Thing as a Tent, for Crowns and Garlands,
which were made in a magnificent Manner.
After we had taken fuch Pains, thinking to
have a long Continuance to enjoy the Fruits of
our Labour, and that pleafant Situation; I muil
needs confefs, we had not the Opportunity of
embracing the like, during the whole Cam-
paign. This made us the more defirous of
Jlayingf Though when our Commander fays
the Word, it muft be obeyed without Control,
yet it was my Happinefs to have no craving
Defire after any thing j I was ready to relin-
quifh every Enjoyment, and comply with their
Will and Pleafure. Thonc;h I was determined
that loothing fhould obftrudl me from my Du.-r
ty and Loyalty, yet at the fame Time, I rec-
koned it a peculiar Advantage, to meet with
no tempting Pleafure to (hake this my Refolu-
tion, or prevent me from vigoroufly exerting
pyfelf, ^s long as I had Breath, by endeavour-
ing

^Matthew Bishop. T€y

ing to maintain a jafl Caufe : And the Reader
wSl find, that I fteadily purfued this Point, Co

i\

long HS there

Empk

for

ioyment
while Thoufands could not bear the Hardship, ,
but the firft Opportunity they had, would en^
deavour to fhelter themfelves, and be backward
of their Duty, and would fly from Truth, for
the Sake of Oppoiition, even for the leaft
Glimpfe of Encouragement. I call thefe Re-
bels in Nature, and not worthy of the Bleflings
the Almighty has vouchfafed to this World.
Though I acknowledge our marching was
very expeditious, and a great Fatigue to fome
Men, yet I think thofe that won't endeavc'*
their own Prefervation, and that of their Coun-
try, deferve to be buried alive. For my own^
Part, I never faw any of our Infantry, that
couici oindo me in marching 5 and when in
Health, I always thought myfelf indefatigable,
till Suj/tefa Day in March, and then, I muft
needs own, 1 began to be Leg- weary. But there
was Caufe enough to complain. I remember
the greateft Part of the JVelch Fufileers march-
ed without Shoes. The exceffive Rain, that ac-
companied us that Day, had put all the Infan-
try into fo great Diforder, that it rendered them
unfit for marching for a confiderable Time af-
ter. It had no lefs EfFtdt upon the Cavalry ;
for many were obliged to difmount, and lead
their Horfes in their Hands. Then I began to
think our Station was preferable to theirs ;
though our Regiment had Orders to march a
liCague beyond the reft of the Army, in order

M 4 to

4-

1 68 Tie Life and Adventures

to cover the Generars Quarters. After we had
received thefe Orders, there were not above a
Hundred Men to bring up the Colours of our
Kegiment, and Neceflity obliged me to mount
the Quarter Guard, Likewife Duty was^ re-
quired of me as foon as I came in, But yoi|
mud needs think it was very uncomfortable,
fiifter I had borne the Severity of the Weather,
to Hand with not fo much as one dry Thread
upon my Back, and wet Garments that flruck
excefjively cold. But I nourifhed the inward
Man by drinking Brandy, and thus prevented
the ill Effedts that might have proceeded from
that Unpleafantnefs. I don't think the Day
will ever be forgot amongft old Soldiers; At
leaft they, may allow me to quicken their Me-
mory, by acquainting them that General Ingoldf^
hy led us that Day i and we fet it ailde, as a
very remarkable one.

In this Place we ftaid till fuch Time as both
Man and Horfe had recovered the Fatigue of
our expeditious March j or at leaft, our com^
manding Generals thought that Houfes would
be much more agreeable than Huts or Tents,
either for Man or Beaft ; Therefore when we
left that Ground, our Generals began to think
of the Garifons ; and we marched to a Place
within z Lc'gue of Courtray, where we halted
fome 'Ximc; though in daily Expedlation of
march: ?;g nearer Garifon j therefore it pre-
vented us making the Preparation we fhould,
had we imagined our Time would have been
longer. Put in this ]^efpe<5t we 3d:ed pruden^-

ti
t^

rs

^ Matthew Bishop. 169

ly i for our Continuance was but a very few
Days, and from thence our Troops were drawn
towards Ulcey, where we halted -, and it being
excefiive cold, we made ourielves little Huts to
fkreen us from the Severity of the Weather j
though it was not long before the Army began
to difperfe themfelves. I found by their fepa*
rating, it was done in order to go into Garifon.
Any one may think it would be moil agreeable
at that Time of Year, it was about j^II Saints,
before our Officers went to Ghent, in order to
draw for Quarters. We were about five Leagues
from Ghent, and it was not long before we re-
ceived good News ; that v^ras, that our Quar-
ters were to be in the Spanijh Caftle. This gave
us a great deal of Pleafure, knowing the Quar-
ters differed much.

When we came there, finding that the Bar-
rack I was to be in had four Beds, we managed
with a great deal of Condudt and D'fcretion,
and took it by Turns to officiate as Manciple j
fo that we had as much Affluence as reafonabie
Men could defirej and we lived as regular as
People in their Families do in England: And
we thought it a great Happinefs, that we en-
joyed fuch Plenty, after fo great a Fatigue.

As I was fettled in Garifon, give me Leave to
exprefs my Gratitude for the Faithfulnefs of all
the Commanders in general that Campaign:
This is the true Sentiment of my Heart, which
i am fenfible no one is able in Juftice to difpute :
And every Man's Deeds ihould fliine according
to his Defertg, Therefore I will give you my

Opinion

. \ ^

i

I

i!

170 Tie Life and Adventures

Opinion as well .as taj Capacity will allow. I
think in my Heart, that the Duke of MarUxh
rough ordered his Matters fo well as to difap-
point the French of all their intended Encamp*
ments \ but it mufl be done by all thdr artful
Inventions \ which is a curious Scene to look
over; though it was the Occafion of long
Marches: But the Willingnefs of our Men,
and their A6tivity withal to guide their Adi-
ons» accomplifhed our full Intent. Now I i-
magine they did it in a View to aggravate them,
that we might come to an Adion. The French
made a Show before we came to Swiney*%
Camp, as if they had aimed to (hew us their
Performance ; but we found they were intimi-
dated, and afraid to attack us, fo foon after
Oudenard, Therefore I faid to our Men, they
had not digefted it well. Though I could not
help plcafing myfelf, to fee all our Officers
Attentivenefs in making ready, till the French
thought proper to make off again. I fpoke to
an Officer, one CopCy a Gentleman, whofe half
Pike I had often ufed to carry, and a Country-
man of mine, as he called himfelf, (I have a
great Notion it is he that is now a General) and
faid, 5/r, they are fenfible we are in a Capacity
to fight better than we were at the la ft ABion ;
therefore I don't think they will encounter with
us any more this Campaign, He made but little
Anfwer to what I faid, but was feemingly in
great Hade, as if he was upon Bufinefs of great
Importance. I found by that, that all the Of-
ficers in general had more Thought about it

than

^Matthew Bishop. 171

than I; for I was under no Concern in Life.
Then I heard fomcbody fay, that the Duke was
determined to fee what they would do $ there-
fore we purfued thenr)^ and deprived them of
Svfine/s Camp. But the World could not
produce Men of fuch profound Knowledge and
Experience, even Men of all Degrees ; for there
were fo good Orders given, that it was not in
the Power of any one to find Fault j therefore
every Thing went on pleafantly and agreeably,
and no Men were more adive in obeying their
Generals Commands than we : There was ne-
ver any Confufion amongft us, but we under-
ilood one another from the higheft to the low-
eft Degree. Now I thinly thofe that are endued
with thefe Virtues and good Qualities, may not
in the leaft doubt of getting the Vidory ; for
fuch Men will fight like Heroes 5 no Confufion
attends their Proceedings j and where there is.
Men will faulter, and fail from their vigorous
Nature, and do not deferve the Epithet of
Manly. When they are not what I have ex^
preft, there is no Likelihood of getting the Vic
tory ; for they have not Power to exert them-
felves when required. I muft indeed confefs
it is not the Men's Fault altogether, but owing
to the Mifunderftanding between thofe in a iii-
perior Rank, which is often the Deftrudtwn of
Thoulands. O Man, where i^ thy Humanity,
when guilty of fuch Cruelty ? thou certainly
jnuft anfwer for thefe great Faults, where hu-r
man Creature^ are concerned!

M

i
f

172 Tie Life and Adventures

As I have difclofed to the World the true Sen-
timents of my Heart concerning that Campaign,
therefore I hope the World wc i*t vary much
in their Opinions ; for it is my Nature to give
to every Man his juO: Due ; ar>d had they not
been deferving, I fhould have been as apt to
have breathed forth my Afperfions as foon as
any one. But there are undeniable Proofs of
their Behaviour ; which delight my Soul, when
I think, and look over all their Tranfadions :
And it creates in me a ftrong Veneration for
that Calling. Likewife it leads me to imagine,
I might be of great Service at thefe Years, might
I be received into their Flock again. Now I
have dcmonftrated and given you the invincible
Proofs of all I have faid, therefore I will pro-
ceed forward, and acquaint the World, of what
I know of the next following Year j which (hall
be all Fads, and nothing but what my Eyes
have feen.

.""^si'iT

CHAP. XXII.

ne Author's Letter to hh Wife in 1708 : Em-
bar h for England : MeeH with a violent
Storm: Reflexion on the Principle of true
Courage: Returns to Ghent : Takes the Field,
Advi e to Officers not to defraud private Men
of what is their Due, -^ ■ ..^

AS I had a Wife in England, I thought it
would be prudent, to fend her the fol-
lowing Letter, to fatisfy her that I was alive
and well. ' My Dear, you can't conceive, the
• * Pleafure

o/'MatthewBishop. 173

Pleafurc I have enjoyed the laft Campaign.
Neither can I find Terms to expreft my De-
light, any otherways than the Almighty has
planted a Tree, never to be hewn nor cut
down by Men, for his infinite Power is over
all Things. He will fkreen whom he pleafeth
under the Shadow of his Wings, till his Divine
and mofl ferene Power thinketh fit to make
a CdUge; therefore T will venture to fay,
that his providential 1' jwer has been over the
Tree, that I have re nied, or elfe it would
not have been at all, . 0 Life to fhoot forth
his Branches, but vvould d vvindle away and
at laft fall, as a flumbling Block for others.
Therefore I beg that you and my Mother
may not be any ways difcomforted at my Ab-
fence, fmce the Key of all Beings is my Sup-
porter, and in whom I take Delight. Neither
be difmay'd but take it as genuine as I wrote
it, and it will give me a twofold Pleafure,
when I hear that you are not any ways dif-
order*d. For my part I wifli all the World
was half fo happy as myfelf, therefore I hope
you will not grudge me what I have con-
cealed in my own Breaft, or what his infinite
Power has beftowed upon me. Methinks
I am blelTed above all Mankind for every
Thing is reftored to me, that in Rcafon I
can wifli for, and 1 hope you may be en-
dowed with the fame Gift, and that in Duty
bound I (hall ever pray for. So I conclude
yours, to whom I will join my Mother for ever.

Manhcw BiJ}:op.
. ' Ifhail

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1 74 Tie Life and Adventures

I (hall make one Obfervation, and then
(hall proceed to my Story. It was a common
Saying amongft Soldiers, when the Officers were
ordered a recruitings they are going in order to
bring over thofe that were killed the lafi Campaign,
I think this doth not require to be interpreted
to the Reader, for the Senfe of it is obvious e-
nough, and eafy to be comprehended. And it
treated Mirth and Diveriion, which is the only
thing a Soldier has to keep up his Spirits.

Soon after our Officers were gone a recruiting,
we heard that there was a Demand from the
Qu^n, for ten Regiments out of Flanders^ in
order to preferve her Royal Perfon in her own
Dominions, when the diametrical oppofite
Party, arid the pretended Prince of Wales at-
tempted to invade Great Britain, Their At-
tempt failed, neither will it ever have it's deiired
Effect, till God gives up all his Power to the
Devil, and till then we are environed round
with (Irong Walls that nothing will penetrate.
At that time you will find, we were ordered to
prevent any Corroption that might befal us
through Negligence or dilatory Means. In Fe*
hruary we left Ghent under the Command of
Brigadier iS'tf^/W, and went on Board the By-
landers and with all Expedition for Bruges,
When we arrived there, we had Orders to con-
tinue till a Regiment, that was appointed to go
with \x% came up ; which was two Days after.
Then there were Orders iflued out for us to go
to OJiendt where we all embarked on Board
feveral Ships. _ _

The

The

^Matthew Bishop. 175

The Company that I belonged to, went into
the Mary Galley, and put out to Sea. fiul we
had no ^ner got into the Ocean, but we were
put to our Shifts, and with great Difficulty eicap-
ed going to the Bottom. You'll find as foon
as we appeared in the Main, we all fell in*
toConfufion, by a violent Storm, or proper-
ly a Hurricane. We cxpeded every Moment to
be fwallowed up, but ftill Providence protedt-
ed me, and I was very adive at that Jundiure
of Time. I finding the VefTcl was over laded
went to the Captain for his Approbation, and
£iid, 5iV, I beg you will give ^ar, to what lam
going to intimate to yow, I /hall be glad to know
your Dijpofitiony and whether you are willing to
dijpofe ofthofe Punchions of Beer ^ that are lajhed
upon Deck: If not y the Confequence will be that
you certainly will difpofe of all thefe living Souls,
to the Infuence oj the li''aves', for inftead of three
Companies you Jhould have had but two, there-
fore I beg you will confult within yourfelf I
ihould not have taken the Liberty of fpeaking,
had I not been very well acquainted with the
Seas. The Captain was fo confufed that he
could fcarcc give me an Anfwer, but faid, as
we are all alone ^ we can call no Court martial,
therefore I think the beft Hhing we can do, is to
ftave the PunchionSy and try what EffeSl that
will have. Upon this, we all went to Work,
and lightened our Veflel prefently. By this
Means, we were rendered capable of enduring
the Weather better than we could have expeded,
I faid when I found the Virtue of it j // was
.3g¥|f . ^ equal

176 7l>e Life and Adventures

equal to a hundred Merit and I will venture to
iky had we not taken that Method, we (hould
all have been lofl, and therefore I valued my-
felf on being the chief Inflrument of faving
Hundreds. As good Fortune would have it|
the VefTel was a fine Sailer, and although we
tack'd about very often, yet I could perceive
we gained Ground prodigious faft $ for it was
not long before we arrived at the Place appoint-
ed, Sheeh in the North of England. In going
over the Bar there, we flruck or rather grafed
her. With that the Captain cried out, O my
Shipt and we all imagined her Back had been
broke ; but as good Luck would have it, the
Ship received little or no Damage, though I
muft needs confefs every Man was intimidated
at that fudden Motion } and when they were
made fenlible (he was not harmed, they fell all
into Raptures and fuch Tranfports of Joy, that
any one would have been furprifed to have feetl
their Extafy.

Nothing (hews n Man's Capacity more than
when in Diftrefs or in Danger ; and I remember
the time that I have been in great Danger a-
board of Ship, and at the fame time fome Men
were infenfible of it. I will leave the World to
attribute this Infenfibility to what they pl'^'^fe j
ahd will proceed in my Relation. ^ ^

When we arrived fafe in the Harbour, I
found the Veffel was well known by the Colliers;
therefore I afked fbmc Queftions, and they in^
formed me (he had taken feveral of them. We
continued in the Veflel two Days, before the^e

waa

^ Matthew Bishop. 177

was a large Cat prefledi and it went by the Name
of die Raylftone, Then we received Orders to go
' on Board of her, Ukewife ieven Companies more
bdoDging to ieven difierent Regiments. That
was oar Station for feven Weeks fucceilively.
I will leave the World to judge, whether our
Situation was agreeable or not, as our Lodgings
were very indi&rent. Therefore when it was
time to go to Red, I was the Occafion of a
great deal of Mirth by thefe Words, Gentlemen^
I beg you will all agree to my Prf^ofahy that is^
to draw out your Bayonets ^ and let me fie whether
you can difiinguijh the fifteji Plank, That di-
verted all our Company, and we were as hap-
py as if it had been a Bed of Down, as the
Reader will find. But I think proper to explain
the Method we took to reft all the time of our
Continuance there.

It was in Camp Fafhion. After we undrefl^
ed ourielves, we put both Legs in our Waiflcoat .
Sleeves, laid the Napfacks down for our Pillow,
dsie Breeches under our Shoulders, and the Coats
. over us, which made a complete Rug, or at
Icafl what we were very well contented with
without grumbling. I have fince reflected
iimhin myfelf, that Patience and Content are the
Beauties of the Mind,and that a hearty Zeal for
a good Caufe flifles the Senfe of Hardfhip. So
that it is evident, nothing can fatigue Men of
this Temper. Their Yoke becomes eafy and
their Burthens li^t, by their inward Content^
which is at all times a fure Support undec.
the greateft Calanoiities. And who will be fo'

N mad

a 78 Tie Life and Adventures

mad as not to cultivate and cherifh what wi}l
alTift them, in every Thing that human Creature
is capable of undertaking. Befides it ftrengthens
their Faith, and carries up their Thoughts to
that all powerful Being, on whom their De-
pendence lyes. For my Part, I will fay once
more, that Victory doth not altogether depend
upon Numbers ; but on inward Strength darted
into the Breaft by the King of Heaven. This
alone forms the true Hero. f*^

^ Give me leave to explain my own Nature
and Difpofition. When I faced my Enemies,
inilead of being intimidated as mod Men are,
at the firfl Appearance, I was always animated,
knowing that the Vidory would be given to
them, who relied upon, and had their Depen-

" dence in God's Goodnefs, who chufeth him to
b6 their chief Commander. It created Pleafure

- and gave me Comfort, to think that the advcrfe
Party could have no Power over us, without
theAfliftance of Divine Providence. Thus I
certainly concluded, that all Victories would be
given to the ju ft Side, and to relieve Oppreflion.
Now thofe, that difpute thefe my Sentiments,
will certainly fall by the Sword of Steel, when
they face their Enemies or have any. Controver-
{y againft them ; but thofe, that come into my
Meafures and Opinion, will never receive
Wounds or Scars, but run through all DifHculties
in Defiance of the adverfe Party, as I did through
the Scene which I have fet forth, to be a Pat-
tern for the Commonalty of Mankind, or thofe
who piofci's what I delighted in.

■%

♦ ,

■V.

' ^ Matthew BrSHoK 179

After we had diverted ourfelves for feven
Weeks 2X Shields^ it was thought proper, to re-
turn to our former Quarters, Ghent. I thought
that very agreeable News, for I longed to be
in Adtion, and there was no Likelihood of hav-
ing any thing to do in England^ to keep us from
Idtene^. This was the Occafion of my being fo
defirous of changing our Situation. As the
diabolical Powers were prevented of that Diadem
they were in queO: of, I thought there was but
little occafion for our Continuance there. When
we received our Orders, We fleered bur Courfe
for Oflendy and when we had fo done, we went
with all Expedition for Ghent, where we con*,
tinued three Days. In the mean time, all Pre-
parations imaginable were made for our Cam*-
paign.

When we left Ghent y we marched to a Camp
that was between Bruffels and Louvain. At the
fame time, his moft excellent Majefty King
George (hewed his paternal Love for this King-
dom, and gave the ftrongeft Proofs of it j for he
expofed his moft Sacred Perfon for thePrefcrva-
tion of his loyal Subjeds. I remember well
when he reviewed us at the above Camp, where
were the Duke of Marlborough, Prince Eugene
and the other confederate Generals, we gained
great Applaufe. At that Jundure of Time,
while we were under Arms, fomething happen-
ed, which I think proper to lay before the
World, to caution an Officer not to give a Sol-
dier caufe to cenfure him at any time. There
was a general Complaint amongft our Men;
;] ■ r^ N 2 ' and

I

1 80 TJtf Life and Adventures

and they took this Opportunity to divulge* fheir
Grievances, thinking in fbme Meafure they
might be righted. They imagined that Briga-
dier S^iine intended to defraud them of their
Pay, during the time of their Continuance on
Shipboard. Now I muft needs fay, had this
really been his Intention, it would have heen
doing a very unjuft Thing. Beiides it might
very poffibly have been very hurtful to himii^,
through the Inftigation of feme invidious Peo-
!ple. But the manner in which the Scene was
opened prevented his Deftrad):ion, though he
was in a violent Rage. Oeneral ^e^ Hood^
■the Front of our Regiment, and as good Fortune
would; have it, the Brigadier came up to him,
and had a long Conference widi him. At that
Juncture, one of our Men took Courage and
faid, bave you brought us the Sea Pay ? With
that he fell into a Rage, and told the General
that he could never pais by his Regiment v^ith-
out hearing their Clamour, which was infup-
portable. Hereupon the General deiired to
know what had been laid. He made anfwer,
tbey are continually dunning me for the Sea Payy
which ought not to be. The General iaid, iSrr,
you give great Attention to what the Men fay y fir
1 could not difiinguijh what they faid. Our
brave General IVebb could make himfelf agree-
able to all Mankind, and he gave us theilrong-
eft Proofs of it at that Jundure, that ever Man
did. For he not only pleafed the Brigadier, but
at the fame time countenanced us, by turning his
Head towards us with a Smile. Then he call-
^^rr.'s-' ■ I i f,i^ < % . — eel

^Matthew Bishop. i8i

ed the Adjutant, and deiired he would go round
to every M^, and oSkx them two PHloles to
Hifoitn who it was that mentioned the Sea Pay.
But this was a mere Pretence, as you will find : ,
For he went to the Left of the Regiment, rode
through all the Ranks, and offered the Money
with a Smile, and at the fame time privately
faid, don't impeach one another. When he had
rode through the whole, he returned to the Ge-
neral and Brigadier, and faid, if it plea fe your
HonourSy nom? mil own it, neither will the
Money tempt any of them to impeach each otiser.
Then our noble Gfcneral made answer and faid,
it Jhews they love one another ^ and are all of
one Way of thinkings which is a beautiful thing
in a Soldier, therefore , Sir, as we have made
this fir iSi Inqitifitim amongft them, and you and I
have found out their DifpofitionSy 1 beg you may
take care that they be paid-, J or that Money
'tvill he very acceptable this Campaign, The
Brigadier faid but little, before he walked off;
Though I found by virtue of the General's Word
fpeaking, we were paid our ESvidend, in a
fhort time after, which was while we continu-
ed at that Ground. I remember well, while I was
upon a foraging Command of 40 Men, 8 Hours,
at my return, which was late at Night, I heard
the agreeable News by the Sentinel, that the
whole Regiment was paid. Upon hearing that,
I faid to my Companions, come^ fince it is fo I
am determined t^ call up a Sutler and make my^

Jeff merry bejore I go to Reft, So it was agreed,
and we drank two Fehmates each Man, of

^^- , N 3 extremely ^

1 8 2 Tie Life and Adventures

extremely good Bruffeh Beer, and went to our
Tents and i^ceived a found Sleep. In the Morn-*
ing we all received our Dividends. For my
part I was prodigioufly well pleafed for the
Sake of the poor Men that wanted it, not that
I valued it myfelf any mpre than a SnufF of a
Candle,

CHAP. XXIII.

A4

«^f

JM^rcbJrom Ghent towardsVi^ti Artois fortified:

Stratagem of Prince Eugene'^: The Siege of

Lifle: The Defeat of 2^000 French at Win-

cndale ly General Webb: Ghent retaken

from the Frcnph. «

IT was aot long after, before Orders were
ifbued out to hold ourfelves in Readinefs to
inarch at the firing of three Cannon, for the
French were in Motion. They thought it would
be doing themfelves a great piece of Service to
inarch for Ghent , and hold us in Pljiy amongft
pur own Qarifons But it availed them little.,
Nay if all the French Politicians had agreed and
put all their Heads together, they could in nq
wife have fruftrated the brave Duke of Marlbo-
rough* s Defigns. In the End they were not in-
fenfible of this, for he difappointed them of all
their Inventions, and herein fhewpd his Dexteri-
ty and profound Knowledge. Likewife his
moil fubliiiie Goodnefs was celebrated through-
put the whole Army. And where the Sup-
porters are good, it is impoflible the Edifi(?e

.^ .; ihould

V^'-. '.^

^Matthew Bishop. ^83

(hould tumble. Nay all Praile and Honour was
due to him, for his daily (hewing his paternal
Love to all his Soldiers by making every thing
eafy and agreeable to them.

Knowing that the French durft not look
him in the Face^' he did not think proper to
follow them to Gbent^ but intended to deprive
them of their Winter Quarters at the clofing of
the Campaign. Whercfpre he marched to-
wards Lijley in order to fee what Reception we
fhould meet with there. On our way thither
I went upon a great Command, which was to
reinforce ArtoiSy and when we came there, we
were very dexterous in fortifying it; for we
rendered it capable of withftanding a whole
Army. And in truth it needed our Help, for I
got upon the Ramparts, and could view the
French Army and ours, but a (liort Diftance
from each other. Then on a fudden I could
difcern a Body of the French Horfe come fo
very near ours, that we did imagine there
would be fbme Adion performed by them. But
they all were intimidated, three only excepted,
* who darted forth from the reft hoping they would
follow. But they were ftruck with a Panick.
Then fome of our Men went after thefe three
and obliged them to furrender. It occalioned
a great deal of Mirth, to fee how they gal-
loped from one part to another ; but they were
furrounded and brought in as cool as Lambs*
Then they were taken before the Governor.

It was not long after that, before we m.irch-
ed to the Army. Before we could reach Lifie^

N 4 there

] 84 7^e Life and Adventures

there were Orders ifLed out^ for foar Regiments >
to go under the Command of Prince Eugem^^
in order to conduA the large Cannon and aU>
the Artillery, fitting to carry on the Siege,'
the Duke 0/ ArgylNy my Lord Hartfordt^, my
Lord North and Grafs and General ff^ebb's^ being
tilt firft Regiments upon Command ^ that pre-,
vented our being at the opening of the Siege.
We were greatly put of our Bias with the Ar-
tillery, but we fecured it, with all the care
imaginable, by keeping aBoviac, for we were
under great Apprehenfions of Danger, and 1
believe iome of the Great Ones began to defpair
of our fafe Arrival. I muO; needs iay, it was a
long and flow March : But I will make bold to
explain the Method the Prince took, which
every Body will fay was a good Stratagem.
When the General beat, we halted, and when
the Tattoo beat we marched. By that Means
we condudted it along, and were at our Arrival
received with great Joy. ; iK

But for my part I grew very impatient, think-
ing we (hould never have the Honour of feeing
Lijle. The Reafon of my being fo defirousof
feeing that large important Place, was that I
hoped to be employed in fuch a Manner, that
I might exert myfelf in doing fome noble Ex-
ploit for the Honour and Praife of us all. So
far my Ambition led 5 that was the funda-
mental Caufeof my coming into the Army, and
, I put myfelf in a Sphere as I thought, that I
could be of mod Service in carrying on the War
with Vigour, Though I fay it, I had a great
. ,u Influence

^ Matthew Bishop. 185

ibfluence o?er Thoofands by Encdnrageitients,
and I may venture to fay, that • though of fo
mean a Capacity, I infpired fo much Courage
intothoie whom I converfed with, that nothing
would have daunted them at that Time. Now
what Influence muft thofe of profound Know^
ledge and Experience have, if they would give
themfelves Time and Delight in what I did ? I
am certain it would render them capable of
performing more than a Man can devile ; but at
thefe Days the Love of Money was all they
fought after, and they thought it beneath them
to countenance their Inferiors. But that was
not my Nature, for I fpent an Eftate to get the
Good-will of all I converfed with, and I in no
wife repent, as it was in a juft Caufe. Though
now it would comfort me in my old Age, yet
I am tike an old CcKachman that loves the imack
of the Whip, and I fancy I might be of Service
at this Juncture, might I be admitted into the
Scene: I ftill have fome Idea of it.

Prince Eugene being the chief commanding
General at Lijley there was nothing vranting as
far as his Dexterity went, and jthe World muft
fay he was an artful cunning Man. The Siege
was carr/d on with a great deal of Condud: :
Though one would imagine that it was almoft
impradticable to take fuch a ftrong fortified
Place. After the Trenches were opened and
the Engineers had taken the right Method, we
made the Sun (bine through fome of the Wallt.
But our Regiment was cannonaded with great
Violence, and theDoftmadctofly about ocir Ears

prodigioufly.

' ij

Ill

1 86 The Life and Advefitures

The bciiegcd would take every Opportunity
they could, and I remember one time in par-?
ticular, as I was going to the Waggons in order
to fetch fome Bread, the Cannon Balls came
finging by my Ears, took my Hat off and blow-
ed it twenty Yards from me. Such Clouds of
Duft and Gravel flew about that they almoft
blinded fome of our Men. For my own part,
I thought it almoft impoffible to fire off fo many
Cannon Balls, in fo mort a Space of Time. Yet
they did but little Damage, which was owing
to Providence, and I had ufed to fay to the Men,
triift to Providence and never fear.

Then General TVebb took two Regiments that
covered fome Quarters which lay convenient for
a quick Motion, and no one more dextrous
then himfelf; he took the above mentioned Re-
giments,Lord Hartford s and Sir Richard ^emfle*s
and marched them along in order to beat the
French out of a Shatto w. But as they were go-
ing along the French endeavoured to intercept
their March : For they lay in double Ditches
and pouring forth their Shot upon them, killed
and wounded a great many. But nothing pre-
vented their marching to the Shattow, which
they made themfclves Matter of, and brought off
a great many Prifoners. I remember well at
that Juncture of Time I was upon Major Co»-
greve'% Guard, who was Major of a Brigade that
lay very near thofe Regiments, and I remember
at that time If^ebb very narrowly efcaped having
the French Army upon him, for they lay in
Ambulcade on purppfe to furprizehim. Wh^r^

^Matthew BisHoV; 187

fore he was obliged to quit his Quarters in great
Hafte for they are a People that love to take
Advantage. But the Duke of Marlborough
holding himfclf in readihefs to receive them
they dared not attempt to face that great Ge-
neral, but thought proper to draw off again. 1
was prodigious forry for one Sergeant Redley^
who belonged to my Lord Hartford^s Regiment,
a particular Acquaintance of mine, and a Man
that I had a great Regard for. He came in greatly
wounded, and every one imagined his Wounds
were mortal. I was much concerned for him.
But I began to think it was in vain to condole
for another's Misfortunes at that Juncture, when
the whole Army was expofed in one Shape
or other, myfelf not excepted 5 yet I had tha
good Fortune to efcape fharing the fame Fate,
which Thoufands underwent.

There were Detachments out of feveral Regi-
ments, to go in order to take fome Out- Works
or properly Sconces or Ikde Fortrefles that com- ,
manded the City. But there was a ftrong Citadel
to command that large important Place befides
them, and as we were in Adlion endeavouring
to make ourfelves Mailer of them, they fprung
feveral Mines and blew up a great Number -of
our Men. I had fome Idea of the thing, or
whether it was only an Imagination or not I
cannot tell, but I thought I could perceive the
Ground tremble under me. Whereupon I faid
to all that would hear me, Gentlemen, fall down
Wthyour Faces to the Earth, I myfelf did fo, like
^ne d^ad. Th? Word was but juft out of my

' Mouth,

II

rf

■ K

I

i 88 Tie Life arid Adventures

Mouth, before it made the Earth tremble, and
all that were upoh it, or near that Place, were
blown up, and fome torn afunder, fo that they
run through a difmal Operation. It had more Efi
fecft than it otherwife would have had, had they
taken my Method. But moft of our Company
did, and preferved their Lives; though fome of
their Coats and Hair were burnt, when at the
fame time feveral Sergeants and private Men,
that were farther off, that would not follow this
Rule, were blown into the Air. Wherefore
I faid to them that followed my Advice, through
Ohftinacy they fi^ght their own DefiruBioH^
They made roe anfwer, they ivere thoroughtf
convinced it wasfo. Yet I would not have the
World think a Man can always arm himfelf
againft fuch a Thing, for Irtiaginations are not
always right, though it happened fo at that
Junfture of Time, which I impute to the Pro-
vidence of God, whofe Goodnefe is very ex-
tenfive. I can fay fo by Experience, therefore
I will own it with a fincere Acknowledgment.- ^
- After we had been there about a Month, otwr
Ammunition was almoft expended, though the
Duke of Marlborough had fcnt us a Supply of
what he could fpare. For he knew that the
whole Dependance of our carrying on the Si^e,
was on the great Convoy that we were ex*
peding. The French were not infenfible of
our Wants, and fent a Detachment of Twenty-
four Thoufand Men from their Army, with an
Intent to intercept it : Though Providence di-
re(5tcd it to the contrary, as the Reader will

find.

o/'MatthewBishop. 189

find. Our noble Duke had a diflmg^i0ung
Capacity, I muft needs own^ ^ drior to the
reft of Mankind. I have often .aid, he could
(ee into the Minds of Men } for he judiciouily
obferved their Natures ; which made every
Thing go pleafant and agreeable, without the
leaft Confuuon in Life. I can fay fo with Juftice -,
for when the Duke of Marlborough had given
General Webb the Command of 7000 Foot,
and 150 Horfe, in order to defend themfelves
againft 24000 French s though they were {o
fiiperior in Number, he was not in the leaft dif^
couraged, but relied on the Bravery and Con-
dud of General JVebb. And in Truth, the lat-
ter, I am fenilble, thought himfelf happy in
that Command. I could perceive it by his
Countenance, and by his pleaiant Behaviour to
all his Men in general. He was an old experi-
enced General, and a Man that knew every
Part of the Country, without which he could
not have known how to difpofe of his Men.
And this plainly appears from his beautiful Dif^
poiition of his Troops. He marched to a Place
called Winendak Heath, and there drew all
his Men into a Wood, and made them as ie-
cure as he could, in order to be in a Capacity to
receive the French, or to (hew them our Arm
of Defence. All our Men were in high Spirits,
and eager to exert themfelves at their firft Ap-
pearance ; but our General defired they would
have Patience till fuch Time as all might be in
Adion together. Our advantageous Ground
was the Deftrudion of a great many Thoufands

of

wt

1 9© *The Life and /Id'OeHiurei

of the Frencbyiov wc had them all Ways, Front,
and Rear, and Flank; and it continued in that
manner for a confiderable Time, till they re-
treated in great Confufion. But the Reafon of
their being fo intimidated, was the Ingenuity of
brave General ^^^, whofe Behaviour the World
is not infenfible of. For he ordered his Drums
and Trumpets in fuch a Manner in the Time of
Adion, that they imagined our whole Army
was coming upon them. I verily believe, that
was the chief Reafon of their Retreat. He had
likewife difpofed of his Men in fuch Man-
ner, that they could have a full View of the
Frenchy though the French could hardly per-
ceive them. For when we gave them a Volley
they were confufed, and fcarce knew where it
came from. Even their Officers were feeming-
ly in great Confternation ; for their faint Com-
mands could not prevail upon the Men to face
the Wood: And their Adonifliment was fo
great, that no one could perfuade them but
thofe Shouts came from the Elements. I
muft needs own, comparatively fpeaking, that
it had the Refemblance of a Thunder-Clap, more
than of any other Thing in the World befides.
But it is wrong in any Man to fufFer Imagina-
tion to get the better of his Courage. Moft of
our Men were prodigioufly forry that they re-
treated in fuch Halle: I verily believe, had
they continued upon the Ground a little longer,
we fhould have brought their fuperior Number
to have been inferior to ours ; and at the leaft, it
would have rendered us capable of following
>i ^, ' . . them.

^Matthew Bishop, igi

them. But we were fo few, and they retreating
before we had greatly reduced their Numbers,
it was in vain to purfue them. Our brave Ge^
neral could diflinguifh, as we were in an advan-
tageous Situation, and able to withfVand all their
Refinance, had we followed them, it was very
poflible they might have had the Advantage of
us, and prevented our accomplifhing our De-
fign. Wherefore we continued in that Situati-
on till they had entirely left us to condudt the
Convoy by ourfelves.

By this Ad:ion our General gained great
Applaufe ; and it animalcd the whole Army
to fuch a Degree, that it rendered them
capable of carrying on the Siege with Vigour.
Though at one Time I remember, fome of our
Generals began to defpair of our bringing the
Convoy fafe : Upon which, there were Orders
iifued out, and Preparations made for raifing
the Siege. But our brave General (hewed them
an Inftance of his Condudt, and brought thein
out of all Doubts and Defpair ; the French were
as much difpirited as we were enlivened, and
could not diged thofe large Cannon Balls that
we threw amongft them, but were obliged ,to
furrender.

Thus every Thing had it's defired Effed; and
as there was no Occafion for our Continuance,
we left that Ground, and marched to Winen-
dale Heath again, and pitched our Tents. Af-
ter we had fo done, I went along with feveral,
in order to (hew them where we performed the
A6tion. Then we returned to our Tents again,

but

'li*i

ig t 7%e Life and Adventures

Imt were exceffively merry all the Time we con-
tinued at the faid Camp, which was one Night.
From thence we marched to Bu0a*^ Qimp,
and continued there fome Time; but that En-
campment was not fo agreeable as we could have
wiflied,byreafon ofProvifion being foexcefHvely
dear, and prodigioufly fcarce; fo that it was
hard getting a Commodity for our Money. The
Rcafon of that Scarcity was, the French had
cut off our Communication : Some were near
Oudenardy and fome at Bruges, and others at
iibent i and by that Method they prevented all
our Intercourse with Holland^ and other Parts,
from whence we could get Provifion. There-
fore we were obliged to make four Days Bread
ierve us fix. In the Interim, we went a ma-
rauding by Brigades ; we did that by Way of pre-
venting any Obftrudion that often happens to
a fmall Body of Men. We were not obftrudt-
cd in the leaft, nay, met with fome kind Re-
ception ; for the People were more willing to
give than we were to take. I remember they
gave us Beef and Bacon fufHcient to fuffice us
for two or three Days. Thus we made Shift
for Subfidence ; though it was more than .we
could expedl at that Jundure of Time. Ano-
ther Time I went by myfelf, and found a Cock
and iix large Fowls, and thfee Ropes of Onions.
I thought myfelf very fucccfsful in getting thofe
good Things. Then I thought it would be pru-
dent in me to difpofe of fome of them, left they
fhould grow ftale upon my Hands. Wherefore
I fold four of the bed for a Patacoon^ and the

Onions

con-
ight.
imp.
En-
have
ivefy
was
The
had

ma-

,^ Matthew Bishop* 19J

Onions I fold for three Skillings, and thd
other three I took to my Tent, and kept them
for my own eating, they being a Kind of a.
Rarity. But when I came to eat them, I
could not vouchfafe to eat them alone, but in-^
vited whom I thought proper to eat with me.
I had three plentiful Meals, and fome good
Liquors to wa(h it down; and this was the
Method I took, and in no wife defpaired of a
fufiicient Supply of Provifion all the Time of*
our Continuance at that Ground. But there
were feveral that were almoft ftarving. I aik-
ed them the Reafon, l^by they did not endeavour
to get afufficient Subfiftencef They made An-
fwer, They would truft to Providence, At that
Reply, 1 thought it high Time to fpeak j there-
fore I faid, * Gentlemen, you*ll find that Pro^

* vidence will beflow of his Provifion to them

* that will endeavour to feek after it ; but thofe

* that are indolent, and have no Thoughts of

* Induflry, muft not expedt to reap any Benefit
' from it. It is not for a Man to look up, and

* call upon the Lord to help him, and at thd

* fame Time hide his Talent in the Ground j

* but it is the Man that fpeaks with a Fervency

* of ^eart, and whofe Actions correfpond to)

* his Words, who is blcffcd. For God did hot

* make Man to be an ufelefs Creatui'e, but inadd

* him that he might labour Under all Difiicul-

* ties that might befal him in this World.

* Therefore great is your Polly if you don^t adt

* as I have obferved.'* After this Conference I
left them, and in the Morning I heard that they

O had

m
m

1^4 5^^ J^if^ ^^d Advehtuns

had afked to g6*atid fee what the Country woatcl
dftfotd them. I was glad to hi^r what I iaid
had fo iiluch Infliience on theih, aiid flich an
Effedt, as to change their Miilds iti fo (hort a
Tihie. Within tWo or three Days they all
ciitte tb me, arid rendered me thanks for itty
Advice. 1 vtras likewife gkd to fee that they
^ete ib grateful as to acknowledge my patetilal
LoVe towards them ; it fhewed a Refbrmatibti
l^ith Refped towards their Advifer; arid af-
tei- they Were fenfible of their Folly, they ob-
fetved my Inftrudtions, and by Virtue of Ihit
had a fufficient Supply all the Time of our Con-
tihiiance at that Ground. Though I would not
have the World think thofe Things am done
without Care and Induftry ; if they do, they
are greatly miftikeri j for there requires great
Attention to every Thing rindertaken when
in fuch Circumftances as we were in, and the
Duke of Marlborougifs Atterition and Care was
over us all. You*U find when we left that
Ground, we matched to a Ground in their
Country. From our expeditious March, 1
could perceive the Duke of Marlborou^'s Ih-
tention was to furprife the Enemy. For we
had continued no longer than one Night at
that Ground, and in the Evening following the
general Orders were to march all Night with-
out Beat of Drum. Accordirigly vVe did, and,
though I fay it, I don't think it was poffible for
a Body of Men to pafs over more Ground than
We did, in {o (hort a Time ; but we were all in
fo high Spirits, that we could fcarce feel the

• Ground

E;,.i;w

o/* Matthew- Bistiop* 19^

Ground we walked upon^ The ReaTon of out
Ecftacy was, that we imagined we (houid be
able to fhew the French fome more of our Per-
Ibrmances: But we were difappointed. We
were no ways apprifed of meeting with any
Obftradlion in the leail ; yet when we came
within half a Mile of the River, we were
commanded to hah, till fuch Time as the
Tin Boats were laid for our Columns to march
over : But we did not attempt to pafs till fuch
Time as the PatroUers were paft. When every
Thing was completed fit for our marching over,
there were Orders ifTued out, to hold our*
fehres in Readiness, and divide into fix Columns,
in order to ms^ch at the Signal of three Cannons.
« ^ I muft needs fay, I was prodigiouily forry to
iaear that News ; for if I might have had my
Way, the Cannon fhould have been fired afcet
we had been over. But our noble Generals Ge-
fierofity kd them fo far as not to be guilty o£
any mean Adion. Yet if we had done as I ob-
ierved, we might have taken them all as Pri«
foners of War. I imagined our Generals
Thoughts were, that the Signal might bring
them to an A<5tion : And had they attempted
that, they certainly would have had the Ad-
vantage of us ; for it plainly appeared that Tea
Thoufand might have kept off Forty Thoufandi
as the oppofite Side of the River appeared like
the Ramparts of a fortified Place. But inilead
of their being animated, they were intimidated
at the Opportunity we gave them to exert them-
felvcs : And I could not help pleafing myfelf

O 2 with

iq6 Tie Life and Adventures

with this Obfervation, they were fenfibfc
their Landlord was coming to reckon with
them : Knowing they had not fufficient to pay,
they retired in great Confufion, and left the
Ground and fome of their Uteniils and Equi-
page, which did compenfate a little for our
Trouble of marching fo far by Night. And had
not we been fatigued with a long March, we
might have purfued them ; but our brave Ge-
nerals were not immoderate in their Command,
but could diftingui(h the Nature of their Men,
and were unwilling to put any Thine to them,
but what they could perform with Vigour :
Therefore we were contented with outing them
of that Camp. As the Day was far fpent, it
would have been in vain to purfue after ftcfh
Men, therefore it was an Adt of Prudence to
continue in that Situation till we were refreflied.
While we were at that Ground, I had a great
Defire to go and have a fecond View of the
Ground on which we engaged the French the
laft Campaign j for being fo near Oudenardy I
was unwilling to mifsthat Opportunity. When
I afked my Officer, he very readily granted my
Requeft. I took along with me feveral of my
Acquaintance that were not there, in order to
fhew them in what Manner we were engaged.
It gave me a great deal of Satisfadion, by pre-
venting my forming a wrong Idea of the Place,
which I very pofiibly might have done, had I
been debarred from this fecond Sight of it : But
now it is fo ftrongly imprefled upon my Mind,
that I never fhall forget it. I returned to the

z Camp

ing

^Matthew Bishop. 197

Camp again, and took a View of the Enemy's
Ingenuity in the Camp they run from ; and I
will venture to fay once more, had not they
been intimidated with the Thoughts that their
Mafier moat coming to reckon with them^ they
might have defended themfelves againfl fix times
our Number 5 for their Works muft have damp-
ed mod of our Shot, being fo much above
us, and on the oppofite Side of the River, which
we were obliged to pafs;

When we left that Ground, we made the
beft of our Way to Ghent^ hearing that the
French had taken PofTeflion of it. On our Ar-
rival there, we were (hut out of our intended
Quarters ; wherefore all Preparation imaginable
was made for firing at the Town. The Be-
fieged knowing we had more Right to the
Quarters than them, they religned by beating a
Parley. I remember well, our Regiment march-
ed in at St. Peter's port, and lay under Arms in
the long Street that goeth to St. Peters Hill, till
fuch Time as all the French thought proper to
furrender and relinquifli the Place, and fly elfe-
where for their Winter Quarters. I could not
help pleafing myfelf with the Thoughts of mak-
ing tnem bow to us in every particular Thing ;
and I always uled to remind our Men by faying,
\thcy cilivays will fUhmit to their Superiors j
though at the fame Time we were inferior in
Number. But in thofe Days our brave Gene-
rals endeavoured to furprife them, which is the
chief Article in War. I am not opinionative,
knowing that the World can diftinguifli better

Q 3 than

r

i |HH

\

II

11

1

' ' Sl^wli

198 Tie Life and Atventures

than I; and therefore will refer it to theri
Judgnient, and proceed in my Story.

After we had made the French fly for Shel«
ter, and obliged them to change their Quarters
for our Accommodation, we marched up to the
Caftle of Arms, in order to lye that Nieht, It
being Cbrtfimas-Eve, and cold Weather, we
thought a Garifon very agreeable, that w^ might
referve our Vigor till Spring, and be enabled to
endure another fuch Campaign as the laft, which
laded almoft the whole Year round. I would
pot have the World think we ipent thofe ten
Months idly ; for all were in Motion, and coq-
ftantly employed, from the higheft to the low*
eft.

As we had, after Co glorious a Campaign, the
good Fortune to get our intended Quarters, i(
added to my Joy, to think I had a Skreen to
keep off the Severity of the Weather from me,
I muft needs own we had a prodigious iharp
Winter, which generally denotes a backward
Spring. After I had confulted with whom I
thought proper, I made a Propofal which they
all reli(hed ; that was, to fpend our Time in
Mirth, during our Continuance in Garifon,
They readily complied, and faid, With all their
Hearts, Then faid I, Gentlemen we have a
good Mijlrcfs icho pays us twice a Weeky there^
fore by Agreement we will JUbJbribe to a Club
which 1 have appointed at the Corner-Houje of
the S^2ir\\([\ Parade. They faid, They would da
any i'bing to oblige me, but were afraid their
Money would not admit of any fuch Things I faid,

o/* Matthsw Buifop. 199

Never fear ^ TU make up all Deficiencies, So it
was agreed on, and when we met, our chief
Converfation was in forming Conjedtures about
the Operations of the pest Campaign } and by
this we became gre^t Politicians. And in Truth,
ih^ie of them were Men of Genips, and very
capable of treating SubjeAs of that Kind. This
was our Method of proceeding, and by that
Means we fpent many Hours agreeably enough.

I will now ipake bold to trouble the Reader
V^ith a Line or two that I fent to i^y Wife be^
fore I went to Camp, then I will proceed for-
ward to the reft of my A<^ion8.

' My P^, be fo f^andid as to excjiife my
' annual I^etters, as my Though^ hitherto have
^ been taken up with Bufineis of great Impor-
^ tance that recjuired grjeat Attention, and ren-
' dered mn i^nfi^ to think of my private Af-

* fai^rs. But a^ we have a^ccoiDplifiied all we

* undertook the )aft Campaign, I am in Hopes
*- we {hall not naeet with any Obflrudlion the
' next enfuipg; an,d I don't doubt in the leaf):
*■ bujt that our Defires will be fulfilled, if we

* truft to the Providence of God: For he is our
' Rqek, our Sl^kld, and ftropg Tower : For
' my part, I tfud: in him to aid and afTifl me,

* knowing tliot he is our only Support. So I

* conclude with Fervency of Heart to what is

* abovementioned ; likewife give me Leave to

* fubicribe niyfelf yours for ever, not forgetting
4 niy Mother.* ' , . , -.

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CHAP.

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<f » ■ ' ■ ' ■• ,

CHAP. XXIV,

Begins the Campaign in 1709 : Tournay taken by
the Allies : Sir Richard Temple'^ Behaviour
there : Battle of Malplaquet : ^e taking of

Mons,

IN 1709, we marched out of Ghent ^ in or-
der to go to Camp, where we lay cool and
quiet for fome Time; though our brave Gene-
rals were in Adion in different Shapes, con-?
triving what they thought would be moft to our
Advantage : And I muft needs own they were
in perpetual Motion. Then all Preparations
were made for the whole Army to march and
befiege Tournay, Our Men in general behaved
with fuch Condud and Vigor, that the Place
was obliged to furrcnder. Moft of the. French
retired in great Confufion into the Citadel, and
left the Town to the Mercy of our Men. Af-
ter the Duke of Marlborough had fully deter-
mined to take the Citadel, he fent from the
grand Army, that lay to cover it, the Duke
of Argyll's Regiment, my Lord Hartforis^ my
Lord North and Gr^/s, and the Queen*s march-
ing Regiment of Foot, commanded by General
fVebby under the Command of Sir Richard
Temple^ to lay Siege to it. Sir Richard behaved
with ^ great deal of Ingenuity, and by that
^eans enlivened us all, and rendered us ca-
pable to exert ourrdves when required. I
mufl needs own, there v/as Bulinefs fuffici-
"-- ■ . .' ■ ^ , ■ ' ent

of Matthew Bishotp^ 261

ent to employ us all ; for it was a prodigious
ilrong Place, and well provided for us with a
great Number of Mines.

I remember, after our Army had completed
twelve Saps, we mounted the Trenches, and
fat upon the Foot Banks, when of a fudden the
Enemy fprung a Mine, which made the Earth
tremble under us ; but it ceafed in a Moment.
We were furprifed it had not taken us up into
the Clouds; for, comparatively fpeaking, it
alcended like unto a Cloud. We were prodi-
gious hard at Work in fapping the Enemy, who
Tapped under us, and fprung feveral Mines,
which ftifled great Numbers of our Men.
Then thofe that were above would work with
all their Might, in order to give them below
Air. By that Means we did fave fome alive.
But to prevent the like again, we made a fub*
terraneous Paflage fror^ one Mine to another,
which rendered us capable of doing more Exe-
cution than before ; neither was there any Oc-
cafion of cxpofing ourfelves to the Mouth of the
Cannon as before, though our Regiment did.
I remember the Cannon Balls came rolling a-
piongft our Tents, and did a great deal of Da-
mage; and what was very uncommon, our
Officers Tents were pitched in the Front of tiie
Regiment : I know no Reafon why they fhould
be fo at that critical JuiKftute. But our Offi-
cers finding there was no puiylng with edged
Tools, our brave Commar)dcr, Sir Richard
Tempk^ gave Orders for a Sconce to be ered:cd
fo prevent their Annoyance. And it was done

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20$ 7ii?Li/k and Adv&itures

in fo bontttiful a M^mer, as to take offall Vkw
and Sight th^ had of us before; which was
greatly to our Advantage, but affeded theiQ
much*

I bflieve every oqe will (ay^ the Governor
made a brave H^fiftance. He defended the
Plaee till Money and all Provifions were almoft
^nt: Th^y cut their Plate in Pieces, and
Aamped the Governor's Head upon it ; but Hndr
ing but litrte Relief from this, they beat a Pars-
ley, but did not oypM^ to any Terms ; though
we all imagined they would have furrendered,
as the Time was limited for our Commander to
inarch in. But we found to the contrary, I
believe the French Soldiers thought as we did ;
for in the Time of the Parley, our Geneva Men
went to their Palifades, and fold them a large
Quantity of Gin; and they were as familiar one
with another, as if they had never been £n&-
But, hearing their Cannon £red in the

mies.

Citadel, every Man wept to his refpedive poft j
and^nding their Fl^g wa$ taken down, onr
Batteries iired^with all the Expedition imagina-
ble 5 and the French likewife, without giving
us any Refpite. A Soldier's Duty is to be ^Ir
ways ready at the Word of Command ; for one
cannot conceive the Quickness of our Com-
manders Repartees,

When they were all difplaying their Can-
non from their Platforms, and from all their
ilrong fortifjcd Places, there were fome very
fine Horfes a grafing j and it grieved me to fee
fpme of the French had crept out of their -

Works,

fuc
ha*

Fe.
H
ob
tbi

^kiV

t,-.

^ M A T T H E W B i S HO f. 8O3

Work$i and drove the Horib wider the Com*
mand or Mouth of their Cannon. This dkfi*
gured thetr Beamy in a fliort Tiine, £0 that it
rendered them unfit for Sale ; and we could not
by any Means in Life refcue lbem> but were
obliged to (ufftt the poor Cattle to be deftroyed
by the Mouth of a Cannon ; whi<?h I was pro*
digioufly forry for, by Rcafon they could not
make any Refinance themfelves,

The Day that our Regiment was relieved out
of the Trenches, I went upon a foraging Party,
I being the firft Corporal upon Command, waa
obliged to goj and a$ we vvcre marching along
about two Miles from Tournay, the Sergeant
and I turned ourfelve3 round to admire it, and
had fome Conference about it's Situation, A$
we were talking, we could difUnguilh they had
iprung one of their grand Mines, for we few a
prodigious Blaze, and it afcended up into the
Air like unto a Cbud. Upon which I feid to
the Sergeant, Metbinks I am in Pain^ even m^
common Pain, properly Tortures^ till / have
heard the Effe^ of -what my Eyes have dijcern*
ed\ and I Jhall he very impatient till we re*
turn. He (aid, 7 am furprifed you Jhould
makeyourfelf uneafy for others Misfortunes, I
told him, I was furprifed he Jhould (peak with
fuch Imprudence ; for a Man had hetter never
have been born, than not have a Feeling for hii
Fellow-Creature, or not think of his Prejervation^
He gave me no Anfwer, but proceeded in that
obdinate felfiOi Opinion ; and I could fcarce ga-
ther a Word from him ail the Time of our Ab^

fence

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204 TT^e Life and Adventures

fence from the Army. But at our Return I
fnade a flrid Inquifition, and found there waii
almoft a whole Regiment of the Scotch Holland-
en blown up. There was likewife a Kind of
Report fpread throughout all our Army, that it
vras their Intention to blow us all up ; but to
prevent them we were continually in Motion*
As for my Part, I endeavoured to be as adtive as
I could) for I mounted Guard as Sergeant upon
a working Party, and took them to a Mine, in
order to work at a Sap. There I defired they
would be as expeditious as they could, left they
(hould meet with any Obftrudion at that Junc-
ture. Some of the Men came running up to
the Sap's Mouth, and left their Bafkets behind
them. I afked, What wa$ the Matter^ Their
Reply was, l!hat the Enemy was going to /pring
a Mine. I aiked the Reafon of that Imaginati-
They made Anfwer, That they could hear

on.

them plainly. With that I faid. Come, my Boys,
I will go along with you, and fee or hear tf I can
the Danger, I went along the Sap, and they
with me, and as foon as I came to the far Side,
. I could perceive their Employment \^as like un-
to ours J therefore I faid to our Men, I don't
apprehend any Danger while they are pecking ;
therefore don't be afraid that any thing can be-
fal you while they are at Work in your Hearings
but when you find they have left off\ acquaint me^
and I will take Care and bring you out of all
Danger. With that they all went to work,
and carried their Number of Bafkets very will-

»

Jngly. But after they had done their Duty,

of Matthew Biiud?^'^^^ 205

my old Friend James Lamb faid, He did not
haiflike that under Ground Worky but any above
Ground heftjould readily comply to^ There was
another Man that was remarkable for a great
Eater, his Name was John Jones, who belong-
ed to Captain Cutler's Company : He faid he
was prodigious hungry. With that the Men
aikcd him how many Cannon Balls he had eat-
en for his Breakfaft. Then I faid to him, Tlaou
dejerveft Preferment, if thou canji digefi Can*
non Balls. Then Sergeant Smith came up to
me, and told me, He had eaten four or fix
twenty-four Pounders, and as many fix or twelve
Pounders in a Morning for his Breakfaji. Now
this Sergeant was not addicted to tell fabulous
Stories, though it feemed incredible to any one's
Thinking. But he explained it in this Manner,
that the Man often frequented' the Fields in
Search of thofe Cannon Balls j that he had ufed
to dig them out of the Banks, and had brought
a great Number in a Morning to the Artillery,
in order to difpofe of them for Money j and the
Money he bought his Provifion with. Had
there been no Cannon Balls flying, he certainly
could not have fubfifted j for he both eat and
drank more than ten moderate Men : So that
his daily Study was to provide for his Belly.
Then I could not help thinking, that if the
Qtieen's whole Army had fuch an Appetite,
that the Allowance would go but a litrle Way
towards providing for their Stomach. This
Man, however, made plentiful Provifion for
himfelf ; for a Number of Balls, beyond any

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one's Imagination, came iinging by us, iind I
faid to him, hark^ barky don't ym he^r tbefiug*
U^ Birds $v€r your Head, He and the reft gave
little Attention, and I had but jiril fpoke die
Word, befofe one flew into a Man*s face not
two Yards from me, and took his Head clean
off from his Shoulders. It had fo much effeft
oft me, that it turned me quite round, and I
was a little furprifed and began to look about,
and faw the Man'd Body without a Head, and
my Ooat covered with his Brains. So I thought
it high time to retire from that Station, and go
to my refpedtive Poft, left any one of thofe
finging Birds (houid take a fancy to me and
i&^t me in the feme Sauce. »i

All the warm Reception the French couW
gtvt us did not any ways diicourage our Army,
and we invefted them in fuch a manner ^ to
cut off all their Communkations, and they
feund at laft, there were no hopes of Relief ex^
Gept they could fight their way through out
Army. But as there was but little Profped of
thieif fucceeding in that, they were obliged to
capitulate and relinquifh all their ftrong Holds.
This happened in a right Time for us ; for had
they delayed it a little longer, we (hould have
had their numerous Army upon ours, as v^re
were st fo fhort a Diftance from each other. . -

When we had completed that great Work,
our General had Orders to march with all the
Expedition imaginable, and I will venture to
fay that he led on brifkly; and the Men did
not want for Encouragement upon the March.

We

^ MAttHEW BisMcJW io^

We marched all Night, and greatefl fiart of
the next Day, before we came to the Ground
where we pitched bur Terlts at the Sli)) S^^'^S
down. It was juft under one of the Frend>
Lines where we took up our Quarters thatNight,
and in the Morning early the General beat. I
junipt up and awaked thofe that were anee{X|
that they might be ready at the Word of Com^
mand. For my part I was animated to fuch
a Degree that my Soul was in Raptures, think**
ine that we were going upon feme Expedition,
wherein I might have an Opportunity to exert
tnyfelf, and the Men feeing me in futh SpiritSj
were eftlivened fo muth that they forgot their
long March.

The World may fey it is a very unconWttOrt
Thing, for fuch art infignificanfrFellovt as I, to
have fuch Influence over the Men. Btit yet it
is certain, my Word has fled through the whole
Rcgitnent in a Minute. What gaVe me thii
Afcettdaiit over them v^^s my making up theif
Deficiencies, and by fo doing I had them al-
ways at my Beck. What could a Man of mf
Station defire more? I always thought it a
Blefling from the Almighty, therefore 1 thre v
my Life and Fortune befpre him. He faved
my Life, but my Fortune was divided amongft
Thoufands for my Country *s Good : Though
now I begin to mifs it, hoping they will confi-
&?x the old Soldier, and the Well-wifher to that
Employment, and that will compen fate for my
paft Service, and render me capable to exert my-
felf againft the French at this Critical Tundture ;

I

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ts we did at the following Battle of jl/^i^^^^tf/^
or the Battle of the Wood, which all the World
muft own was as bold an attempt as ever the
World did produce.

The Enemy had the Advantage of the Wood,
which would have rendered them capable of
deftroying the greatefl part of us, had they
not been intimidated. When we came near
the Wood, we threw all our Tent Polls away,
and ran into it as bold as Lions. But we were
obftrudted from being To expeditious as we (hould,
by Reafon of their artful Inventions, by cutting
down Trees and laying them acrofs, and by ty-
ing the Boughs together in all Places. This they
thought would fruflrate us, and put us into dif-
order, and in Truth there were but very few
Places in that Station in which we could draw
up our Men, in any form at all j but where
we did it was in this manner. Sometimes ten
deep, then we were obflruded and obliged to
halt, then fifteen deep or more, and in this
confufed manner we went through the Wood,
but yet all in high Spirits, which wasfomething
extraordinary after fo great Fatigue. Our brave
Duke of Marlborough^ and all the other com-
manding Officers in general, were fenfible of
the advantageous Ground the Enemy had at
that Adtion. Befides the Wood, Mom was in
our Rear, which obliged us to have a detach-
ment of a hundred Men out of every Regiment,
that was at the Siege of the Citadel of fournay^
in order block it up. This was a great
weakening to us, at the moil dangerous attack

Man

^ Matthew Bishop. 209

Man can dcvife, for we were environed round
on all fides by our Enemies, and were oblig-
ed to fight our way through the mid ft of them,
to fiipport our Honour and Self-prefervatiour
We fought the Battle, but I will acknowledge
that God eained the Vidtory : For without him
we could have done nothing of ourielvcs. Thefe
were my Thoughts all the time we were plac-
ing ourfelves in a Form, that we might be in a
Capacity to receive their warm ChargCj which
was done at the Edge or Border of the Wood.
Then we caft our Eyes upon a Breaft-work that
was not above half a Furlong from the Wood,
to which Sir Richard Tempky who commanded
our Brigade, ordered us to advance. I was in
Front of the firft Divifiou, and could perceive
the French were well prepared to give us a warm
Salute. It foon broke us in a terrible manner,
though our Vacancies were quickly filled up^
I was prodigious forry to fee our Lieutenant
Colonel Ramfey (hot dead, and expire in a
Moment. Nay I was obliged to fqueeze my
right hand Man, or I could not have avoid-
ed ftepping upon him; which I was unwilling
to do, though he could not have felt me. When
we got clear of the dead and wounded we ran
upon them, and returning their FirCj even drove
them out of the Breaft-work. Then they re-
treated to another, but in a confufed manner.
Then we were commanded to fall off to the.
Right, that the fecond Battalion might draw
themfelves up in a Body, in order to exert them-
felves as we did before. A Dutch Regiment

P . at

2 1 o 7%e Life and Adventures

at the fame time behaved with a ereat cle;^! of
Courage and Condud. The fVekb FufiUers,
made our Ground good at the Breafl-work that
we had deprived them of. I could perceive up-
on the Right of our Battalion, the iecond Ba^
talion of Guards Hred by Platoons, and behav*
ed incomparably well. Neither were the French
deficient in their Attack, but both fides be-
haved to Admiration; therefore we (aid one to
another, the Guards are endeavouring to gain
their Honour, The Reafon of that Saying was,
old Soldiers had ufedtocall them ^^/Vs Army;
becaufe they were always ufed to fine Service,
and never to fufFer the Hardfhips that others are
fubjedt to. But what I difliked them for was,
the Moment they had gone through their Bat-
talion with their Platoon firing, they behaved
themfelves like Black-guards, by plundering
their own Dead, and pulling them about before
they were cold or quite dead. So that my
Bowels yearned for their Cruelty. Thus I foupd
they fought for Gain ; and I am afraid tb^re
are too many of that Stamp.

The next Attack we could diflinguifh, that
there were fome Mifunderilandings among the
French^ which rofe to great Difputes, and all
through a froward Commander. While they
were a jarring our brave Conmiander Sir Richard
Ten^le made up to them, in order to learn the
Difference that fubiifled between them, and
by fo doing he difranked them; and ended all
Difputes by a Vojley of Fire-arms,that rendered
a great number of ^lem infenfible gf knowing

what

iioi
in

U]

of Matthew Bishop. 211

what had pafl. Then they returned our Volley
wilh great Succefs. I may fay it, for my right
and left hand Man were (hot dead, and in falling
hadalmoft thrown me down, for I could fcarce

frevent my falling among the dead Men. Then
faid to tne fecond Rank, come, my Boys, make
f^od the Front. With that they drew up. Then
iaid, never fear, we Jhall have better Luck the
next Throw, But I juft faved my Word, for
my right hand Man was (hot through the Head,
and the Man that followed me was mot through
the Groin, and I efcaped all, though nothing
but the Providence of God could protedt me.
Then our rear Man was called up to be a Front}
but the poor Man was ftmck with a Panick,
fearing that he fhould (hare the fame Fate as
the otners did. He endeavoured to half cover
himfelf behind me, but I put my Hand behind
me and pulled him up, and told him, that I
could no ways Jkreen him, for he was fenfible a
Man behind me was (hot. By ftrong Perfua-
fion I prevailed upon him, fo that he was not
in the leail daunted, but flood it out as bold as
a Lion. We received a great many Vollies after
that, and one time I remember it wounded my
Captain and took my left hand Man, and almoft
fwept off thofe that were on my Right, fo that
it left the Man that was intimidated, and my-
felf alone. Then I faid, come, "Partner, there is
nothing like having good Courage. So we filled
up our Ranks in a regular Form, and when we
had fo done, we fired upon them brifkly and
with great Succefs: For they were repulfed,

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212 Tie Life and Adventures

and altnoft afraid to face us any more, after our
(harp firing, but were glad to retreat, and fall
back as fafl as they could. Then we cad our
Eyes to the left,and could perceive a Breail-work:
I could di(lingui(h that the French were lining
it with all the Expedition imaginable. Upon
that I had feme Conference with my Colonel,
and told him that without great Care we (hould
be flank'd. He was a Man of a polite Genius,
and I could obferve that he had a great deal
of ConduA to guide his Adtions, which was
a great Addition to his Profeflion, efpecially
at that Jundlurc where thoufands of Lives were
depending. After our noble Colonel had heard
my Difcourfe, he called to Sir Richard Hempk
and faid, that his Battalion would be flank*d.
He replied, w, go on yet^ Colonel^ for there
is an ahfolute NeceJfUy for it. We were ea-
ger to go on, for we detired to be expeditious
in our Attack. With that the Colonel called
to Sir Richard again, and faid, if he ^^u/i go
on^ he would go on. Then the Aid de Camp
came and faid, go on^ but the Colonel ipoke
ifirft, and faid, wheel to the left of the Battalion.
Thofe words we obferved,and as fwift asThought
we ran upon their '^reaft-works with a huzza,
and gave them a warm Fire, which made them
tumble one over another. At the fame time,
the Welch Fufiliers being upon the right of them,
Hank'd them with a kind Salute, which jammed
them together in their Breaft-works. So we did
not give them time to plunder their Dead, nei-
ther did they approve of it, left we (hould in-

creafe

^MAtTHEw Bishop. 213

creafe their number of Corps. I would not
have vou think the French were idle, for as our
Battalion was running upon the Bread-works
they fired upon us and killed a great number,
though inferior to their own.Then we had Orders
to wheel to the right. Had we not the French
Horfe would certainly have fallen upon our
Rear. This happened at the Ground where we^
firft made our Attack. But when we faced them,
they backed their Horfes as fad as they could,
and we advanced and retreated in the Front of
them, for a confiderable time, till they opened
to the Right and Left. Then they advanced
forward. With that we fell back a little and
made a Halt. Our Commander, Sir Richard
temple ^ was very adlive, and (hewed a great deal
of Ingenuity at that Jundture. I could perceive
it by the Orders. Our Colonel ordered the Drum
to beat a March 5 accordingly they did, though
our marching was very flow ; but we lifted up
our Feet as raft as we could, in fuch a manner
that they imagined we were coming bodily up-
on them. With that the Horfe would fall back
and make a Halt, and we did in like manner.
This was the Method we ufed advancing and
retreating, till fuch time as their Foot thought
proper to make off. Then the Horfe thought
lit to make all the Hafte they could after them,
fo it was properly a general Retreat. Then wc
were commanded to purfue, which we did, but
to no purpofe. I remember when we mounted
a Hill we could perceive they were upon ano-
thci: ppppiite to-us, and fent us a Salute hy th(?

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214 T^e Life and Adventurer

Mouth of three Cannon, as an Adieu ; the firft
Cannon Ball grafed in the Front but did no Pa-
mage at all, and the Colonel defired we wouM
lye down, for we ihould have another or two
and we found it as he obferved. After three
Cannons were fired wc got up in high Spirits,
for we were under no Apprehenfions of having
any more : So that did not much obftrudl us,
in making our Purfuitj and we foon put the
French to the run. But it availed us little, hav-
ing only occaiioned ^^ French to get intoGari-
fon fooner than they would have done, had not
we purfued them.

As we found they were determined not to faCfe
us any more, wc returned to our Army, or the
Ground we gained by our Dexterity, and art-
ful Inventions. It being the clofe of the Day,
all began to think of Reft, and having no

we

Tents to ^\^ we were obliged to take up with
fuch Quarters as we could find. We were all
difperled in a fliort Time, fome in one place,
and Tome in another. I remember well, after
I had pitched upon whom I thought proper to
go along with me, I perceived a Houfe at fome
diftance, whither we all agreed to go together,
hoping to find it empty. But we found it the
reverfe, for it was full of miferablc Objedls, that
were difabled and wounded in fuch a manner
that I thought them paft all Recovery. There-
ifore I faid to my Companions, / Mt think
there is a Foffibtlity of our having any Reft this
Ntght. We endeavoured to the utmoft of our
Ability to get out of the Noife of the wounded,

but

us.

^Matthew Bishop. 215

bat found it almofl impoiTible, except we had
gone three or four Miles diftance, for all the
Hedges and latches were lined with difabled
Men. Therefore we returned to an Orcharct
and kid ourfelves down in as warm a I^lace as 1
we could find, but the horrible Cries and
Croans of the wounded terrified my Soul, fo
that I was in Tortures and fancied I felt their
Sufferings. So I could not lay my Eye-lids to-
gether dl that Night, for one Thought or other
that came frefh into my Mind, after the Agony
I was in for my Feltow Creatures. In the firfl
place, I confidered myfelf as a great Debtor
to the all-feeing Power of the Almighty for his
ineftimableGoOdnefs towards me,for condufting
toe through that glorious Victory where no-
thing but the Hand of God could be our Af-
iiflant. I can juftly fay it by Experience in re-
'r gard to myfelf, for I was encoftipalTed round
with Dead ; at the firft Attack my Colonel was
(hot dfead before me, then I had a Man (hot
tehind me, and twice my right and left hand
> Men were (hot. Thoufands would think it
. morally impoflible to efcape in fuch a Cafe ;
but Inipoffibilities with Man, are txjffible with
' God. Therefore it reminded me of our Saviour's
:. Words, that a sparrow Jhould not fall to the
. 0 round without his Permijion. Then I could
not help thinking that I (hould always be a
Debtor, never able to compenfate for io great
. a Bleffing. My Soul was ftill very thoughtful,
and 1 remembered the Words of King IFilllam,
thzt yvery Ball that kills or wounds has his Com-
\ P 4 " mijjion

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2 1 6 l^e Life and Adventures

mijfion before it is fired. The Rcafon of that
Thought was, the Balls went through my
Clothes, even through my Hat ; and one time
I remember when a Cannon Ball took my Shirt-f
Sleeve oiT. Now I can fay by learned Experi-
ence, neither of thofe Balls had a Commiffion
to kill or wound. Therefore I will fay once
more, that Providence was my chief Condudtor,
and thofe that truft in any Thing elfe to aid
them, will truft to a broken Staff. Thefe werQ.
my Thoughts while others flept.

In the Morning all the feparated got together
again, to receive Orders j accordingly we were
commanded to bury our Dead, and when we
had io done, there were Orders ifl'ued out to
get fome Tent-polls, in order that we migh^
form our Camp. As we entered into the Wood,
I cait my Eyes around and faw two Men almoft
naked and prodigioufly wounded \ I could petr
ceive they weie fomething berter than private
Men, though not by their Apparel. 1 aiked
them feveral Queftions, but the chief thing I
underftood was they faid they were Captains of
i^^French', at the fame time my Bowels yearned
for them with Tendernefs of Heart. Therefore
I got all the Rags together I could, in order to
poyer them. Humanity obliged me to it ) and
J think it intolerable to plunder the Living as
well as the Dead. For my own part I could
pever have Patience to fee Barbarity ufed after
a Battle, for my Soul ' was always in Pain for
the wounded upon the account of the cruel Ufage
^hey met with, ^Yhen they fell into the|Iands

^ Matthew Bishop. 217

of thofe that have no feeling for either God or
Man, which was theFateof thefe two unfortunate
Men. When I left them, they rendered me a
thoufand Thanks, but I always thought there
was a Duty incumbent on me to adt as I did,
therefore there was no need of all thefe Thanks,
when a Man is bound in Duty to be humane.

Thefe were my Thoughts during the time of
pur getting the Tent-polls, and when we re-
turned to the Place appointed to form our Camp
in, I found there was fomething in Agitation.
Therefore I made a flridt Enquiry, but could
have no Intelligence till we had formed our
Camp. Then I found there were Orders iffu-p
ed out^ for an Army to go and lay Siege to
Mohs, Though I was not there, yet I was de^
firons of going.tb fee the hundred Men that were
detach'd out of our Regiment before the former
Battle was begun, in order to prevent the French
having fo much Influence over us, in cafe we
had nQt been fo fuccefsful as to have gained the
Field : For they might very pofTibly have drawn
themfelves out of Garifon, and purfued qs as
we did them. ]But as our Men wer^ planted
in fuch a manner, that there was no Po(Iibility
of their coming out without receiving a warn^
Reception, they thought it prudent to continue
there, till fuch time as we had an Opportunity
to oblige them to relinquifh their flrong Hold,
and take them by Violence : I began to be im-
patient and longed to be with them ; there-
fore I took an Opportunity and went to take a
Review of their Performances, and it happened

the

•I!

i

|1 1

I!

lit
ll

1

M\

ll

21 8 The Life and Adventures

die Day that they beat a Farley. At my Ap-
pcarancc upon the Spot, I cotild perceive upon
the Breaches a great Number of jolly Meii t6
look at, then I feid to our Men, why daytm kt
thofe Men ficmd there as an Ornament? LikiftwHel
I obferved to our Army, that thofe were /ife
tickings &f the French Army : I faid agaii^, if
itasnot the Bulk of the Man that doth Execution^
but the lively aSf he Man that is the heftSolditri
jor Example y dotityou all remember theStripHng
that Jlew Goliah, therefore a little Man jhoutd
not be intimidated at the Sight of a helpkfiBtfdfy^
a Body without a Heart, Such ConveriktibiV 1
had Vt^ith our Men, after the Parley. So thaff
we were extremely merry, and we had Reifdtf
enough for Mirth, for we had iucceeded ili^
every Thing we undertook that yeai".

I returned to our Camp with great Joy, ^ha«
we had completed and done every Thing effi^e^
tually that was requifite to fini(h our Csscd^\^»
Then all Preparation imaginable was mtde^i^
marching. I remember our Regiment marched
widi the Artillery and Baggage, in order to coh-'
du6t it to our re^dtive Quarters. We march-
ed upon the Ckufeway, that vi'as reported t!o be
made on purpofe for th^ French to draw their
Artillery from Brujfels to MonSy which was a
great many Miles diftance from each other.
So we diverted ourfelves with one thing or other,
vdiich made it a pleafant March to Ghent. Now
I will take the Liberty of clofing this Year up^
to the Memory of his Grace the Duke of Mari'
borough^ who was once, what never was before.

-ii ^

I

nor

nor

^Matthew Bishop. 219

npf ever will be after, a Man of the greatcft
Condud and Vigorj and I dare fay, that what
we did that Year, through the Inftigation of
ihat brave Dnke, ever will endure £0 long ad
Bhtheim Houfe flands in H^oodft&ck Park Ox-
fordjhire. The laft time I rode through it, it
revived my Soul to fee the Statue of that brave
Englifi Man, whom none can oirtdo, and I
believe in Juftice none will gainiay biit corro-
borate my Opinion.

J WlfcV'*-

.'iC:

CHAR XXV,

^e Siege of Dawzy in 1710: Boucham taken:
-'' St. "VeroLtit and AiiG Ifefieged: RemarkaMe In-
cidents before the latter : Manner of Irving in

the Trenches,

imi' • ...

IN 17 10 I went round to all our Regiment
in Order to enliven them by faying, if we
fucceeded the next Campaign^ it would he a Means
to break the Hearts of the French. They aft
agreed to my Sentinrents, andfaid, they did not
doubt it in the lea ft \ as they had been obftruSted
hitherto^ their feeble Hearts would not feroe them
to exert themfehes this enfuing Campaign. Thep
I made anfwer, that they would be intimidated
at the Sight of us, and it would ftrike fuch a
Terror into their Breajls as would oblige them ta
Jitrrender, They have not Hearts like uSy if they,
had it might pro^e our DeJlru6lion! Therefore
let us drink Succefs to her Majefifs Arms^ and
let it go round merrily 5 for the Support of her,
I moft

n

%

Ui

2 26 n^e Life and y^dventures

moft excellent Majefty relies upon the Heart only,
therefore 1 don't doubt but you mil all be candid
enough to think as I do. This was my daily Ad-
vice,for ten Days before we fct out for the Camp ;
though it was the occafion of my expending
fome Pounds j but I did not value my Money,
fo long as I could accomplifh my intended De-
fire, by my Remonftrance. I always thought
that fufficiently compenfated my Trouble, this
was the Recreation that I applied, which creat-
ed a great deal of Delight, fo that we left Ghent
in high Spirits, and marched to the Plains of
Doway, where we encamped.

At that Jundlure, part of our Army went off,
in order to befiege the Town of Doway\ that
animated me to the highefl Degree imaginable,
thinking there was fome Profpedt of Employ-
ment. Therefore I faid to my Converfants,
JVbat do jou think of it now. Gentlemen ? How
far will your Judgment carry you, Jhall wefuc-^
ceed in this Attempt or not F They replied, Hhey
did not doubt of fucceeding in that and in every
thing elfe we Jhould undertake this Tear, I anfwer-
ed. May it be fo in God*s Name ^and I don't queftion
but that it will be a Means to break the Heart
of the War, or at leafi render us capable of taking
what we dejire without the ufe of Fire-arms.
For methinks 1 can perceive their Army in horri-
ble Fears, though at this dijlance, which was a-
bout a League, They made anfwer, Iffo, we
certainly Jhall find it as you fay, for they will
snake little or no Refijiance after this Tear, if
they are firuck with a Panick already. Gentle^

men.

• ^Matthew Bishop. 221

metiy faid I, if they are or are not^ pray give
me your Opinion whether it is an A5l oj Prudence
or not^ for a Soldier to think fo. They anfwer-^^
cd, Bilhop, ive know that you are of a dijlin^
guifhing Capacity^ therefore we will refer it to
your Judgment^ and when we have had your Ap-
probation^ then we will fpeak. Gentlemen^ you
honour me greatly in giving me the Preference \
butfnceyou require it I will give you my Sent i^
ments in a few Words, * Su ppofe any of you, Gen-
tlemen, were fenfible of another's being afraid
of you, you would fight couragioufly till fuch
time as you had got the* better of him 5 but if
you thought the reverfe, it is very poffible you
might be afraid to look him in the Face. I
don't think all Mankind of that Diipoiition,
but I am afraid the greateft Number are.
Therefore hitherto it has been my daily Study
to infpire that true Courage that might
avail us, when we come to engage. I am
fenfible, through my Infligation, you have
done more than one could imagine, and fol-
lowing this Rule I fhall always look on it as the
beil Means to enfure the Safety of any Army.

* Bijhopy faid they, we can't difprove what
you fay, and like your Notion well, being
convinced that Man may be wrought on by
Arguments to exert himfelf with more Vigor
and Conduct ; therefore there is nothing like
fpiriting Men up, efpecially in the time of
Battle, where nothing but lively Courage can
fupport them, and on it is their whole De-
pendancc.'
•^•M,c In

li'"

22a The Life and Adventures

In this manner we held a Confabulation*
Then a fudden Thought came into my Head,
^at as the French Army lay on the other fide
of Artoisy and Vitry^ places almoft upon a
Line, I could like to go and dare them to
Adion, or at leaft keep them in a perpetual
Motion. It was not long before I had my
Defire^ for I was appointed as one to go up-
on a Majors Command. I was highly di-
verted that I (hould be upon that Command,
becaufe it fulfilled my Deiire. I remember
when we came within a Furlong of the
Frenohi we put ourfelves in a Pofture to re-
ceive them, if they thought proper to attack
US; but they thought it prudent to continue
within their Bread-works, whicli were at the
End of a Lane, proceeding from a Mill. At
the (aid Mill we made all the Expedition we
could, in making another to anfwer theirs.

When we had completed it, there was a
very uncommon Thing happened, which I
think proper to relate here. A Sergeant, that
belonged to my Lord Hartford^ Regiment, had
a Sifter in the French Service ; he was very defi-
rous of going to make an Enquiry after her ;
therefore he took Courage, and afked the Major
Leave, who readily gave his Confent. With
that the Sergeant went off, in order to make a
ftriA Inquiiition after her, and fhe readily came
to him. The Joy they expreffed at Meeting
were inconceivable, and created a great deal of
Mirth, both amongd our Officers, and private
Men in general. I remember fhe brought a

Bottle

hs

d(

^ MAtTHEW Bishop. 5S23

]3otlfe of Brandy in order to treat her Brother,
^J^ they were in great Raptures during the
Tinobe they continued together. In the Interim
our Officers were prodigious jocular and plea-
f^nt, and defired the Woman to (it dow 2a
Company with them. They were a jovial Crew»
and drank round the Table like Sons of Bac-
cbus. The Woman, being in exceflivc high
Spirits, was as quick with her Repartees as pof-
fible. In the firft Place our Officers boailed of
our Provifions being far better than the French
Army-s, that we had good Beef ^ Bacon, and epc^
iremelyfine Geneva j good Bread, and, aJmye all^
the Englifh Pay was double that of the French.
One would have imagined thefe were Argo-
ments fufficient to work upon a Woman's
Heart ; but all they faid had no Effedt on her.
She told them, She thought the French Provi"
fans were preferable to ours j that all the World
Vfould allom their Bread to be better than that of
40y other Nation j they had fine juicy Beef none
hetter to her Palate % and Brandy enough, which
revived her Soul*, what could a Woman defre
ifjoref Such like Converfation paiTed between
Qpr Officers and the Woman as they fat all
round the Table. But her Stay created a Jea-
loufy in the French, fo that they fent a Drum
over thdr Breaft-works to our Guard. Then
we fent another to their*s. Upon this, one of
th^ French Officers came over, and advanced
forward ; and one of our*s went and met hini
half way. They faluted each oth^r with a great
deal of Ceremony, and a great many Compli-
ments

ft

i

fc"- ♦

324 Tie Life and Adventures

ments pafled between them. Then they both
returned to their refpedtive Pods, and foon after
we fent the Woman and a Drum in order to
conduft her fafe \ upon which they fent back
our's. But the poor Sergeant's Joy was turned
to Mourning j for he took on gieatly, when he
faw hlmfelf difappointed of getting his Sifler
into our Army. Soldiers are Men that one may
depend upon their keeping their Word of Ho-
nour, and they never forfeit it to each other,
after they have paffed it. And in Truth, no
Man could be called honourable, who did any
thing for Gain, or Intereft of any Kind. Thus
in JulHce they could not keep the Woman, but
were obliged to fubmit for their Word Sake.

In the Evening we planted a Sentry, and they
another. The two Guards were only about
forty Paces diftant, and the Officers took it in-
to their Heads, as they had made themfelves fo
free by Day, to be fociable and converfe toge-
ther by Night, which was contrary to military
Difcipline. Therefore Orders were iffued out to
forbear aflbciating with each other, unlefs they
were rcfolved to incur the Punifliment inflidted
in fuch Cafes. This put an End to' all their
Conferences; and it was abfolutely necefliiry at
that critical Jun<fbire, as the French are the fit-
eft People in the World to decoy a free generous
hearted Man. Their Looks and Behaviour are
all Complaifance and Kindnefs, but their Hearts
are full of Deceit j therefore there is no Safety
where they dwell.

When

XJ)f MAtTif EW BiSHdp. 225

*.t When we left that Ground, we marched Itt
order to cover the Siege of Doway, The French
Were exafperated, and made an Attempt to fur*
prize U8. Therefore it was thought prudent to
entrench ourfelves, and when we had fo done,
we made a large Fire, and the French feeing it,
advanced forward towards it. When they came
near, we defired they would not make any Scru-
ple of coming to warm themfelves if they were
a cold. They thought it too difficult a Matter
to force our Line, therefore they looked upon
it and made off, being fenfible we were other-
ways employed, and could not conveniently
reckon with them till we had completed our
Delign, which was to burn feveral Houfes, in
order to deprive them of all the Shelter we
could. When we had fo done, it difcouragcd
them greatly, and renderetl them unfit to make
a fecond Attempt, knowing we were fo well
prepared. Thus it was not long before the
lown of Doway was obliged to furrender.
Upon this I faid. Come, my Boys, there isfome-^
thing to begin with j and we Jhall make every
Thing fubmit to us this Tear*

After we had left that Ground, we made all
the Expedition we could for Bethune^ which was
clofely inverted by our Army; that terrified
their Souls, and rendered them unfit for any
thing but to come into our Meafures. After
that v/as taken, I could not help pleafing my-
felf with the Thoughts of accomplifhing fu great
an Enterprize, or making fome Obfervations
during the Time of our Continuance at that

Q^ Ground,

m

'm

IL':*'

%%

2 26 The Life and Adventures

Ground. I faid to our Men, What do you think
of it now? Has not our brave Duke of Marluo-
rough completed every Thing I foretold you ?
And I don't que/lion ijthe War was to continue
feven Tears longer y but he would utterly demolijh
all the French Garijons, Tou all findy it is in
vain to fight againfl the providential Power of
the Ahnighty ; for through his ineftimable Good-
nefs the Battle may be gained without Bloodfljed;
for it is not always by the Force of Fire Arms^
nor by the Sword of Steely that the FiSiory is ob-
tained. Some gave true Attention to what had
been faid, but fome would fay, What fignifies
minding that Nonfenfe? Therefore I thought
it high Time to ceafe my Inftru£iions ; for when
they once fcoffed at my Reproof, I never could
apply to them again, till fuch Time as they re-
ceded on themlelves. But how imprudent is
it in Man to drive Things off till there is not a
PofUbility of having Relief I Surely they have
nothing but a diabolical Spirit in them; if they
had not, they certainly would be compilable ;
but while that over-ruling Spirit is in them, I
don't wonder at their Deftrudtion.

When we left that Ground, we went off in
two Divifions, in order to befiege St. Fenna,
and Aire. I remember well thefe following
Regiments went off under the Command of
Prince Hannau to Aire^ my Lord Orknefs, Lord
Hartford^^ the Queen's, General Godfrey'^ and
Kean\ We all went off in high Spirits, ho-
ping to have Succe^. This animated the ma-
jor Part of us tD fuch a Degree, that we were

very

veni
this

^ Matthew Bishop. 227

very expeditious in our marching, till fuch Time
as we had Aire in our View. Then we drew our
felves up in Form.

At that Time I was forming an Idea of the
Place in my Mind, and confulting within my-
fclf how we might proceed, it being a Place of
great Force, where we were fure to receive
great Annoyance, before we had completed
our Defigns. Yet this Profpedl did not m the
lead difcourage me: Though I believe the
greateil Part of Men in my Sphere have no No-
tion of defending themfelves againft Annoyance,
biit a re hke an Ox that is taken to ihe Slaugh-
ter, that cannot diftinguifh whether he is in
Danger or not. Thofe Men that are thus in-
ienfible, will run on fool-hardily, and think to
florm Caftles by looking upon them, without
uiing any Ingenuity at all in order to preferve
their own Lives. Now I will venture to fay
thofe Men wilfully feek their own Dedrudtion^
they are not worthy to be called Soldiers, but
Madmen : But I made them fenfible of their
Default, and told them the Confequence of
Things, which did in fome Meafure convince
them of their Error. Gentlemen^ faid I, we
Jhall have Employment enough in maki?ig Fafcines
and GabionSy in order to make a complete Para^
pet cr Battery, It is ahjolutely neceff'ary to raife
a Breaft-worky to prevent the Annoyance of their
Cannon and fmall Shot^ that will fall upon us
like fo much Hail; if it was not for thofe In-
ventioiSj we /hould be utterly demolijhed. In
this Manner I converfed with thofe whom I faw

0^2 igno-

It

[*>

>'! ! \

tM'

22S Tie Life and Adventures

ignorant of the Affair, and they found it as I
obferved.

We had as fine a Time as the Heavens could
produce, to form our Siege, and to put our-
iclves in a Capacity to receive their warm Re-
ception : Though we had Reafon enough to
be intimidated, had we not had -Hearts like
Lions to carry on the Siege with Condudt and
Vigor. Neither did we want for Encourage-
ment; for his Royal Highnefs the Prince oiHan-
nau would walk backward and forward in the
Trenches, and fay, Corner brave Engliflimen,
I am determined not to have this Beard cut off^
tillfuch ^ime as the T^wn fur renders. Reader, I
leave you to judge, whether it was not a fine
Uiick Beard of ten Weeks Growth. But by
that Means he enlivened our Men, and it ren-
dered them capable of doing their Duty to Ad-
miration. However, JVebb's Regiment was pro-
digioufly {battered ; for we went off in working
Parties, and fometimes as we were working
there would a Shell fall amongft the Midft of
us, and blow up in a Moment. But for my
Part, I knew how to deal with thofc terrible
Engines, and prevailed upon fome to do as I
did ', that was to fall down like one dead. But
there were fome that would not be made fen fi^
ble of their Danger from it, and would flep
over it one after another. I faid, I'hat is a fine
Thing to play with. The Word was hardly out
of my Mouth, before it buril afunder, tore
them that ftepped over it in Pieces, and killed
feveral others at a great Diftancc ; but I and

^ fonic

of Matthew Bishop. 229

others

had taken

were

ly Advice,

not above three Yards, and received little or no
Damage. Then I faid. Look there^ through
their Obftinacy they fuffer Death. The Meni
were enamoured with me, and faid, Our Lives
are owing to you. I made Anfwer, Noy it was
not in my Power to fave your Lives, but the
Providence of God direSied that I Jhould he the
chief Infirument of four Prefervation,

It was not long before I was commanded to
take twelve Men upon a working Party. I
was very unhappy in that Command, by Reafon
there were feven or eight of them that difap-
proved of my Advice fome Time before, and
called it Nonfenfe. Therefore I muft needs
own I was ftruck with a Panick, fearing ibme-
thing extraordinary fhould befal us upon their
Account, for they were mere Reprobates j and
I believe, if in their Power, they would have
been guilty of every Thing that was vile. But
you'll find they were prevented. As I march-
ed them along, there came from the Garifon a
Cannon Ball that knocked down fix of the
eight. One would think that almoft impof!i-
ble ; but what my Eyes have feen I can jufli-
fy. I faid, Lcok there are fix wallowing in
their Gore, that have often exclaimed againjl
my Sentiments. Then the other two reflected
on themfelves, and faid, Now we own there is
Juch a Thing as Providence, and that nothing
but the Hand of God could direB that Ball to
kill fix, and leave the refl jtanding. So there
were tv^o converted by the others Dcftru<Stion,

Q 3 and

lii: %

I Si'. "l-#

:.J!i

m

■0

I Sil-iJ

m

fe's :

m

I

I'M !

230 7Z^ Life and Adventures

^d they behaved themfelves like Men Ufpn
their Command, and ever afterfhewed m&lbme
RefpeA, being very defirous of being emploj^
where I could overlook them. But that could
not always be, for I was continually in A<6tions
if not in the working Parties, I was otherways
engaged.

Then I remember I was commanded to take
ii^ Men along with me to a certain Place, in
order to keep a conftant firing. Accordingly I
did, but when we came to the Place appointed,
I found it would not admit of perpetual firii^s
for we were obliged to get up and down:
Therefore, after the firft Round, I defired the
Men vtrould iland in the Trenches below, and
load as fafl as they could, and I would get up
and fire as fail as they could hand me up the
Firelocks, that it might be called a continual
Firing. The Men were highly pleaied with
my Prppofal, knowing that it was a Place the
Enemy had a great Sufpicion of, and great
I^umbers had been killed and wounded upon
the Spot. But I was not in the lead intimida-
ted at the Sight of dead Men, but went to my
Station, and planted myfelf in as firm a Poilure
as 1 could. I made my Hole bigger by moving
my Sand-bags, in order that I might have fu^
ficient Room to put my Firelock in with Eafe,
Then I levelled and fired with great Succefs,
for I took particular Notice of their Flafhes, and
by that Means I believe did great Execution. I
believe it was as warm an Engagement as ever
Man undertook $ for the Palls would come dab

dab

lyl
ited«

the
and

^ Matthew Bishop. 231

dab againft the :Sand-<bags, that one would have
ipaagiaed it wasahnoft impofiible to cfcape be*
log Juiied ; for I have had them come through
the Hole where I put my Firelock. They
would jcreate a Blafl of Air, but nothing to pre- '
judice me; fo I continued in that Manner till I
was relieved $ but I had three or four Hours
continual firing firft; which made all the Fire-
locks £:> prodigious hot, that I could not endure
my Hand upon the Barrels, and likewife gave
all the Men a moderate Sweat by loading. You
may imagine I was very hot with firing, for it
is hard Work, efpecially to follow it as I did.
This was the Method I took, and by fo doing
I gained the Love <^f all our Regiment ; and in
Tmth, none of tif^ my that had any Know-
ledge of me, but v-\:^ loved to be upon a
Omimand with me; and for my Part, I have
made Intereft to go upon ibme Expedition or
other, and thought myfelf happy when in
Adion.

But I was obliged to return to our Regiment,
and if; was not long after that it was relieved.
We met fome of the Brandenburgh Guards jufl
coming out of the Trenches, in order to cut
off fome of the Ground from the Garifon, but
the Enemy endeavoured to prevent them, for
they threv^ feveral Shot amongfl them, which
killed a great Number. Notwithflanding, the
others, with a great deal of Condudt, comple-
ted their Defign. I remember one Time we
were in Expc&ation of a Sally ; for the Ene-
my mounted over the Trenches before Break of

Q4 I^ay,

!««';

232 The Life and Adventures

Day, and prodigious ftill they were. But I that
had my Eyes upon the Sumice of the Earth,
could perceive that they advanced forward:
With that I crept upon the Ground with my
Hands and Knees: I was To prodigiouily u(ed to
that Employment, that I Hided over the Ground
as fail as fome could walk: So it was not long
before I acquainted the Officer what I had feen.
He faid, Bifliop, I beg you will aSi with all the
Prudence imaginable ^ and pojl a Sentry wh^re
you think proper. Accordingly I obeyed, and
took a Man and planted him in a Form that he
might dlflinguifh whether any thing moved or
not, and defired him to follow my Diredtions
ilridly. If one or two came by to let them pajs^
but if there came three a-breafty your Orders are
to fire upon them, and make off with all the Ex^
f edition you can.

Our Gentlemen Soldiers in England little
think of the Hardships we endure abroad ;
therefore I thought proper to make them fen*
fible of them at this Jundure. They think it
a great Hardfhip to Aand in a fentry Boxj
though had they been in my Place, I am cer-
tain they would have found a Difference be-
tween lying flat upon the Ground with our
Firelocks before us, and (landing upon their
Legs under Shelter, For my Part, I have
thought myfelf the happieft Man in the World,
if any Thing was before me, even fo fmall a
Thing as a Football. A Man in England is not
apprised of thofe Things, therefore I thought it
high Time to accjuaint him, leil he (hould think

Thino;s

^ Matthew Bishop. 233

Thing9 hard whkh are not, in Regard to true
military Employment. But as I have given yoa
a Kind of an Abftrad: of the Manner in which
we performed our Duty, I think proper to ex-
plain how we lived in the Trenches. We got
two or three BuQiels of Beans, and a Bufhel of
Wheat at a Time : So fome Days we had boil-
ed Beans, and fometin^es when we mounted
the Trenches we made ourfelves Dumplings,
which we thought extremely good Living. I
have often thought it created as good Spirits as
roaft Meat, i think proper to obferve one.
Thing more : In the Beginning of the Siege we
had very fine Weather, but the latter End was
exceffively wet and uncomfortable 5 fo that we .
were obliged to lay Fafgines upon the Bottom
of the Trenches, and Flakes upon that; and by
that Means the Water funk through all and ,
kept us dry under Foot. Thus we made our-
felves as comfortable as we could, all the Time
we continued there. The Dutch were of great
Uie to us by bringing us Suflenance in order to
nourish and flrengthen us againft the Severity
of the Weather J they brought us Geneva and
Cofiee, and BrotheriAceys. I generally drank
Coffee in a Morning, which I ifound was very
refreftiing, after a Night's Duty upon the cold
Ground, where we were obliged to relieve one
another upon our Hands and Knees, as I ob-
ferved before.

I remember our Regiment was in the Trenches
the Morning the befieged beat a Parley, and I don*t
believe there was one Man but was prodigioufly

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1^ 3 4 73^ Life and Adventures

well pkaAd with bearing tbat Signal f«¥0ii i
knowing that the Day$ and the Wealher ^virQuki
not admit of much more Exercife. When gi^r
commanding General had taken PoiTeiSon of
dieTown^ and every Thing was done to their
Satisfadlion, the Officers in general begim to
think of going into Garlfon, as there was no
Likelihood of any thing more to be done that
Year, it being the latter End of O<?0^fr, before
we obliged the Enemy to fubmit to us. When
we left that Place, we marched direttly to
Ghent: On our Arrival there, we found our
Qii^rters were to be in the Caftle of Arms,
upon St' Peter'% Hill; which I was highly de-
lighted with, knowing that I ihould be kin(||y
received by all my Acquaintance ; and I did not
flatter myfelf in the leaft; for their Kindnefe
was more than I could have expeded, andi]
was as happy, and lived as much to my Satif-
faction, as any Officer in the Army s which is a
bold Word to £iy, from fuc)i an infignificant
Fellow as me. Though had not my Converfa-
tion been to fome Purpofe, in putting every
Thing in it's clear Light, I don't think that
ever I (hould have arrived to fuch a Pitch of
Friendihip as I did; for I had daily Invitation,
and at laft it came without any Compliment at
all* What could a Man of my Station defire
more, than the Oil of Grace poured on him dai-
ly, which ilrengthened and refrefhed my Soul
and Body, and brought Things into their pro-
per Orb; and for which I thanked my God,
knowing that every Thing came through his

I inefti-

^Matthew Bishop. 235

Uieftiioable Goodaeis and Meicy. Thus I con-
dude d^is Year.

CHAP. XXVI.

^e Author* s Defire to go on the Expedition to
Canada: Arrives in New England: Indian
King vifiti their Camp near P* % In great
Danger at Sea : JJfue of the Attem^, m Quc-
beck : Reti^ms to England : £d^ Man of
War bhwn up ;• Goei into Winter garters at
Shrewfbury.

IN 17119 hearing that our brave Dnke of
Marlborough was gone to England^ I began
to be under ibme Apprehenfion that he would
not return; therefore I concluded the Neck of
the War wa$ broke, and that I (hould be difap^
pointed of the Pleafure of feeing Paris that
Yeat ; though we were once in Hopes of arri-
ving to that Honour, had not our Condu<flor
been detained in England. His Genius and
Condudt was deferving of the honorable Tide oC.
Prince of the Holy Empire ; for he was beloved
by the Generality of Mankind, even Foreigners
as well as Englijhmen : Even none could avoid
giving him their Praiie; and he was worthy of
all, for his good Difcipline and good Order;
and the greateft Blefling of all, his Succe^ in
all his Attempts, which was owing to his pro.
found Knowledge in fending proper Emiflaries
to obierve the, Enemy's Motions. Oh ! faid I,
mujl we fart from fueh a Man^ whofe Fame has
Jpread throughout all the Word f On

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2^6 *The Life and Adventures

Oa hearing that it was confirmed that he Wat
no longer to command, it terrified my Soul to
fuch a Degree, that I could not reft Night or Day,
and it obliged me to caft fome Refledions;
and I believe all Well-wi(hers to England will
think as I did. O England! it was onci in
thy Power to have ruined France j even to have
taken her Capital y and then to have triumphed
over her. But as we then gave the Power out
of our own Hands, the French are triumphing
daily over us, by making a fecond Attempt to
invade us s diat is their Return for our Huma-
nity towards them. O England, I hope thou art
fenfible df thy Errors 5 for they are eafily to be
difcerned by this clear Light, I'hou hadfl it in
thy Power one Time to make all Nations juhmit
to thee^ and to bring them under thy jurifdidlion %
but now they fay y they will difpute it with you :
Therefore receive me, that I may wage War a^
gainft thetn fo long as I am able ; for that is en^
tirely what I wtjhfor 5 knowing that the Enemy
is deferving oj more than there ts a Poffibility to
infliCi on them. This Hope Jlrengthens my Cou^
rage^ and renders me the more capable to exert
my/elf; for my Refolution is the fame as ever.

At my hearing that the Duke of Marlborough
had entirely refigned his Command, I was de-
termined with a full Refolution, if nothing pre-
' vented me, to go upon the firft Expedition that
(houid happen -, and to my good Fortune I was
not baulked in my Defign; though with fome
Difficulty I obtained that Favour. Upon my
hearing that Colonel Kain^s Reeiment was com-
ing

^Matthew Bishop. 237

ingfrom Courtray to Ghent ^ in order to go upon
a Defixnt on Canada^ I thought there might
be a PofHbility of making an Exchange with
another Man, that might be unwilling to go
upon that Expedition. I flattered myfelf with
thofe Hopes, till fuch Time as the Regiment
came to Ghent : Then I went round to all, in
order to learn their Sentiments of this Expediti-
and by fb doing, I found that feveral would

on

gladly change. Then I found out a Means to
get it reported to all the Officers in general, that
no Man (hould go againft his own Inclination,
if they purpofed any Good of them. Upon
this Report the Officers took the Matter into
Confideration, and granted their Requefl. This
flrengthened my Hopes. Therefore I made my
Application to my Captain, telling him, / haJ
a great Fancy to go upon this Expedition^ and
that I knew of a brave jolly Corporal that would
exchange with me. He made Anfwer, Bifhop,
thou art one of the mofl furprijing Men in the
World; any reajhnable Man would have thought
that your Employment of late would havefati^ed
yoUy without thinkm- fnew ProjeSls, Befides^
now all the Officers ^,i the Regiment are acquaint^
ed with your Behaviour, you need not doubt in the
leaft having Preferment foon, therefore let me
intreat you not to think of any fuch Thing, If
you have any Thoughts of' raifing yourfelf in the
Armyy continue where you are; and not think
of going into a young Regiment^ for there is no
ProfpeSt of any thing there, only to be broke af-
ter the Heat of the IVar is over. And you may

take

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238 Tie Life and Adventures

take my Word^ that you vnll never have the Op-*
pwtunity of making yourfe^ knvum^ as weUas
you are here. Dear Sir^ fkid I, your Advice
animates my SouU and I render you a tboufimd
I'hanksfor the fame ; hut yet pardon me^ I muft
endeafuour to fulfil my Refolutions fi long as I
live. Not that I have any Diflike to the Regi^
ments at all, neither is there any room for Ke-
feSiions of any kind. But you may diflinguijh my
Dijpofition, I came into the Army with an In-
tention to he of Service to my^een and Country^
therefore I am under fome Jipprehenfiions of Fear ^
that there will little or nothing more he done
in this Part of the World, I'herefore I heg to
exchange. Tou know I am never happy hut in
ASiion. Excufe me, but lam in hopes offnding
what I wifh for in extraneous Lands. Well,
Bifhop, as your Refolution is Jo fully bent upon
going, I aSoife you to go to the Colonel, for I
carit do any thing without his Approbation.

So ended our Confabulation, then I went
immediately to my Colonel, and ikid, Sir^
with humble Submiffim I begyouf^ Honour will he
Jo kind as to grant me one Favour, and then as
in Duty bound I Jhall ever pray ^ for you. Well,
Bifhop, what is it you want thaf I can oblige
you in. Sir, I am afraid to divuhe it left I
Jhould incur your DiJpleafure, and by fi doing
you would obftrudl me in my Defjn. He being
very deiirous of knowing what I wanted that
might incur his Diibleafure, I took Courage,
and told him in a free fpontaneous Manner,
* I underfland there is fomething in Agitation

* that

»p/' Matthew Bishop. 239

* \ihat I would gladly come intOj as it might
f render me more capable to exert myfdf, or

* at lead I might have more Opportunity to bt

* of Service to my Fellow-Crentures^ than it is

* pofiible I can here. Colonel Kain's Regi-
< ment is going upon the deicent on CanaHa^
^ and hearing that (evsral have exchanged, I

* take the Liberty of aiking virhether I might

* go or not, knowing of a clever Man that will

* exchange with me, if you would be fo kind
' as to grant me my Requeft/ ' Bijhopy re*
f plied he, you don't imagine that we {hall

* change any of our beft Men, to go upon fuch
f*' an Expedition as that, no, none that we fet any

* great Value upon.' * Then, pray Sir, let me
**vbe one of them'.* * No ! faid he, I would not
^}- have you think of going; I thought you might

* have been yi Storms enough by Sea, to cure

* you from ever thinking of going again. Like*

* wife as you have been at To many Atchieve-
^ ments by Land to my Knowledge, I (hall al-

* ways refped you, therefore take it from me
•^ as your Friend, and ftay where you are, for

* your own Good, and my Satis^dbion/ * Sir, I

* nave an Idea, that fomething might happen

* that may be of great Service, therefore I
^ hope you will not detain nie from where my
! Inclination leads me; for all that I mean is

* with a good Intent, and I (hall be very un-
t happy if your Honour don't take it into Con-
f liideration, for I have an irrefiitible Spirit in

* me, andcan't fufFermyfelf tobedifappointed

* of my Intentions.' * Hcanfwcred,he would

* conliderofit. . " "So

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240 Tie Life and Adventures

So ended our Conference ; but I thought that
was not a ^atisfadory Anfwer, therefore I made
it my Bufinefs to eo from one Officer to another
to folicit my Cafe, and I found there was a
great Meeting upon my Account, and as good*
Fortune would nave it, there were feveral that
interceded for me, and procured me the Favour.
Upon my fucceeding 1 went round to all the
Officers, thinking it was my Duty to take my
Leave of them in a handfom manner. They
all acknowledged my pafl Service, and wifhed
me a fuccefsful Voyage. When I had (o done
I fpent the Night as jovial as I could, and had
Company enough, to make it agreeable; for
there were but few in the Regiment but what
came and drank with me, by turns, which
caufed fome Pounds to be expended, and in the
Morning there were moft of our Company
ready to accompany me part of the Way. As ,
foon as I came without Bruges Port at Ghent I
divefled myielf, thinking it was not improper
to exchange my Clothes as well as my Perfbn.
I was in Major ^//f»*s Company who received
me kindly, and we marched merrily along in
the Road to Qftend^ and I believe my old Com-
rades had a Mind to go along with me ; for I
had much to do to prevail upon them, to part
from me, before we came to OJlend, But at
laft, by my Perfuafions they returned, though
they all ihed Tears, and faid, they Jhould never
meet with fuch another Friend as me. I (aid.
Never fear^ my Boys, have a good.Heart, there
are Men of very fuperior Judgment to me^ if

they

^ MAtTHfeW BlSHO^. 241

tbiy nimU not think it beneath them to make ufi
of itf in the fame manner I did. They made
anfwer, 7}>eir Lives were owing to me, therefore
nife can jufify fay^ and' have had experimental
Proofs ofity that none can exceed you, 80 thcjr
parted with heavy Hearts, with the ^ords Fare-^
well and Adieu.

I made all the hafte imaginable to Oftend^
where we imbarked and made fail for Spitbeadt
There we lay at Anchor fome Time, and during
our Continuance, there were feveral Officers
went to Portjmouth feemingly good Friends, for
there was no Appearance of any Grudge betwebti
them. But though they went together, they
did not return together. For one was taken
into Cudody for £priving the Queen of one
of her Subjects. Thus there were two prevent-*
ed firom being of any Service to their Queen or
Country. For the Lieutenant deprived the
Quaf ter-mafter of his Life, and the Goal was
the Lieutenant's ^Portion. So far they were di-^
vided from having the Pleafure of going along
with us, under t|ie Command of Brigadier/////
and Admiral Walker^ upon the Expedition to
New England,

Orders were given to make the fwifteil Sail
imaginable, and accordingly we did, having a
fine Gale of WIpd. We foon got out to Sea^
but we had ni^ fooner got into the Ocean than
the Seas began to fwell prodigioufly, which oc-*
caiioned every one of our Men on board to be
Sea-fiok. That created me Employment enbugb^
th^ not being able to help themfelves« I did

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^4-2 Tie Life and Adventures

what I could to bring them out of that deplo-
rable Condition, for I got them upon Deck, in
order that they might receive the Benefit of the
frefh Aih Then I would comb their Heads as a
Mother doth her Children's. That was my
daUy Employment, till fuch time as they all
got well, and my fo doing kept them from
Vermin. I was greatly commended for my
Care and Diligence towards them, and by that
Means I gained the Love of all the Men, and
had them as much at my Beck, as poffible a
Mailer can his Servant. For they obterved my
Motions and gave true Attention to every Thing
I faid or did, fo that I taught them to be pretty
good Sailors, before we had the Happinefs of
reaching New England.

We were but &ven Weeks and odd Days be-
fore we arrived, and had fine failing which made
it an agreeaUe Pa£&ge. When we came there
we ma& fail up the River, and at our Appear-
aiKe there was a Signal from the Caflle, and
I verily believe they imagined their Enemy was
coming upon them, but it proved to be their
Friends. For I heard there were all the Pre-
cautions imaginable taken for their Defence,
thinking it was as I have mentioned, but finding
it otherwife there were Acclamations of Joy,
and Brigadier Hill and Admiral Walker were
conduded by their ^roops into the Town, and
congratulated upon their fafe Arrival.

After fome time there was a Council of War
held by the Brigadier and Admiral, and it was
agreed on by their judicious Judgtnent, that all

.-. i:,:-^-. - . .: OUr

^Matthew Bishop. 243

our Forces on board the Fleet (hould land in
order to encamp upon i?Wi? Ifland, \vhich is
oppofite to Bofton. Accordingly we did, and
I don't think there is a Poffibility for Mankind
to live in Camp more happily than we did,
during the time of our Continuance at the faid
Camp, which was five Weeks. For we had
plenty of Provifion, that refreflied us and render-
ed us capable of doing good Execution if it had
fain in our Way j like wife the Country People
would come a great many Miles, in order to lee
their old Countrymen, as they called us, apd
we were regal'd by them, and entertained nioft
plentifully with Wine and Cyder, and every
thiQg that was fufficient to make us happy.
That was a great Help to fuch a Body of Men,
which confifted of feven Regiments of Foot, wz.
Kirk*s^ Seymour\ Hill% Dijnefs, WMrefs%
Clayton's and Kaines, and accompany'd with a
Battalion of Marines, commanded by Colonel
CburchilL I remember we were all reviewed
by General fl/7/, and being drawn up in Form
of Battle, we made a beautiful Appearance,
and I don't believe the like thereof was ever
feen in thofe Parts before j for they all feemed
Strangers to our Genius, and furprifed at our
Dexterity. We were greatly applauded for our
Behaviour by all the Officers in general.

Some time after, the Indian King came in
order to take a View of us, and v^^e all fliould
have liked to have had a full View of him, but
to prevent our Curiofity, he had a Vail that
covered his Face, and his Secretary was painted
- R 2 with

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2^ Tie Lift cmd Admmihes

with Reddle, and had a Crow-<2uill flock iii^^l^i^
Hair bare headed. I thought they made but a
very (hocking Appearance. As foon as he pair-
ed our Regiment, our Orders were to ^low
him along the Line, and our Officers by way
of Compliment went Front and Rear witn Urn.
That gave the Indian King a great deal of Satis-»
^dtion, and the Sight of him pleafed us modi^

During our Continuance at the (aid Camp I
frequently ufed to take a Walk once a Day, but
could not fee any thing worth my Obfervation^
Their chief Building? are of Wood, and in the
liland there were Houfes ereded on purpofe for
the fick and wounded Men and Women belong-
ing to their Army. I told the People that I
greatly approved of that Method, and ibme«>
times the People would afk md to take a Walk
with them, by way of Recreation. Formypirt
I received a great deal of Civility. Moft of them
took me to their Houfes, and feemingly liked
my Converfation well. They told me that
fometimes it was very dangerous failing with
Ships in that Part ot the World; as they had
great FogsJ and that there had been Inftancea
of Ships being loft at thofe Times ; that gene-
rally in the Winter the River between Bafton
and Rhode Ifland is frozen up. That put me
in Mind that we Ihould not continue long
there. :,\

I remember before we left that Place Major
Allen was concerned in feme vidualling, for
the Prefervation of our Lives, in cafe we fhould
be any ways detained by the Weather. For

, '4 Men

X^K. *)

^MATtHBW Bishop. ^45

Men can't be too careful in thoie Seat, %her4
they are daily liable to Misfortunes The Reader
will find I know it by Experience; for after our
Forces were returned to their refpedive Ships,
and all Preparation made for our £ii]ing, I re-
member well the Captain of the Content came
on board our Ship the Globe^. and went to the
Major and told him that he was hard put to it
for Hands. I being the firft that the Queflion
was put to, whether I was willing to go or not,
anfwered, with all my Heart. So I went down
for my Arms and Accoutrements, in order to
hold myfelf in Readinefs. In the mean time,
the Captain went on board another Ship,
in order to get two or three more, and in his
Abience there came a Captsun of the Barbadoes
Brigantine on board our Ship, and went to
the Major, and told him thatNeceffity obliged
him to afk this Favour, hoping that ne would
be fo kind to grant his Requeft, for he was
put to his Shifts for want of Hands to work the
Yeilel. Our Major reply'd, that he had none
that would be of any Service to him, excepting
that Corporal, and he is going on board the
Content, With that he leaned over the Quarter-
Deck, and fixed his Eyes upon me. I was
very attentive to what had been faid, though
feemingly took no Notice of it, till I heard a
Voice call me by my Name. Upon hearing
that, I anfwered, iS/r, your Pleafure, He told
me, hii Pleafure was to have me along with him^
I anfwered, it was equal to me whom I went
Wthi and, if you think I can he of any Service^

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24-6 7Z^ Life and Adventute^

lam rea^'iiaiierii y&u aifihiias anotbef-. With*
that he deiiired I woiild wailk up. I readily
went, and he niet me with a large Ulafs bf Wine
in his Hand, which is the only thing in the
World to indi^ce a Man to be compliable. Af-
ter this kind Ueception, he told me I might
e]cpe<ft a gffeat deal of Civility from him, and
he would give me ten Shillings per Week. Now
had he faid lefs and performed more, it would
have been mofl agreeable. But he was one of
thpfe that would fly from Juftice, after his Turn
was ferved. Such 1-crfons Words (hould not be
looked upon, any more than as a Blaft of Wind
that comes from you know not where. Yet
I can't any ways complain of his Civility while
I was on board and in Adion. But he did not
requite nie for my Ingenuity.

After I went on board the Barbadoes Brigan-
tdne we failed along with the Fleet, and when we
were out at Sea we employed ourfelves in catch-
ing Cods. The Captain being a polite Man
fupplied moft of the Fleet with Fi(h. I fre-
quently went in a Boat to divert myfelf with
Fiftiing, and' one Day as we were near the Sea^
ihore, I faw the new Englijh Troops at Exer-
cife. I was very delirous of going to fee their
Method. Accordingly I did, and when I came
to them, I found it was very different from ours.
After they had gone through their Exercife, J
defired to (hew them ours, and I went through
It with as much Life and Vigour as a Man can
do, and it pleafed their Officers to a high Degree,
fp |hat they treated me with what Wine I could

drink,

Se£

of Matpthew Bishop. 247

dzink^ The^ told me that there was a Man to
be ^ot in the Governor's Ifland, and before we
quitted the County, there were Men appotnted
to go on Shore, upon the Execution Party. It
is not in my Memory what Regiment they be-
longed to, being blown about with the Wind,
which created me Employment enough till we
put into Ga^e Bay. Here we waited till fuch^
time as the Tranfports and other Ships came up,
though we apprehended fome of them might bd
blown to Leeward. But af^er we got all toge-
ther we proceeded up part of the River of G?-
nada^ in order to go to ^ebecky but we were
prevented by Fogs. I could not fee the lead
Appearance of a Houfe, nothing but Woodis
from Gajpe Bay. It is upon the fame Continent
with New England.

Our Proceedings were not very fucc^sfiil.
As we got into a prodigious thick Fog and the
Wind began to blow, our whole Fleet began to
think themfelves in a very dangerous Situation,
having no Sounding nor Sight of Land, to fleer
to any Coafl. We were in a deplorable Con-
dition, and I remember our Veflel over-ran the
Fleet before we had the Misfortune at the Gulf
of St. Laurence to lofe our Main-top-mafl ;
which was the Occafion of our not being fo ex-
peditious as we could have wifhed. But we
made all the Sail we could after the Fleet. The
Wind continued blowing very hard, and the
Seas were very rough, fo that we over-ran them
again ; but as good Fortune would have it our
Admiral gave us a Signal by the Mouth of a

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^^qn, akp4 iw^v,HiPW?ltt<W }t ww lo lye Igr,
Qc^i>rkg tpi thec^ibre we puUec}^ in our Sails,
s|nd lowered ovr Yard^ and laid as ihug as pofr
fiWy. we couli /> b..

To Our thinking we thouebt ourielves very
iecurc from Danger; but it had like to have
proved the reverfe, for we were juft on the
Srink of Deftrudion ; it being (b exccflively
darky tb^t we could not diftinguiih the danger-^
pus nor hazardous Situation we were in» for
fome Tiipe. Jt was my turn to have the firft
Sleep, ^fter lying by ; therefore I went and laid
my&lf down, though it was not long before
the W^fcb came upon the Quarter-Deck, and
told the iQaptain that there was a Ship upon
th$ Larboard Bow. I hearing that jumped
up in a Moment, and put iny Glafs before; my
£y^ and cou)d di^rp ^at ;t Was Rocks, Witn
that I called ^verySpul up and told them they
fnu4 work for their Lives, I had got them
^11 upon De^k in a (bort Time* though we were
jbut nine in N^umber^ and went through a great
fatigue the Day before, But when a Man is
working for his Life, it is not to be con^c
iceived wha( he can do. The Captain finding
what a deplorat)le Condition we had like to
hav^ been in, by heaving the Lead found
us to be but three Fathom Water, therefore he
(:opmanded us to hpid our Fore-yard. I find-
ing th^t was but of little or no Signification,
^f| we did not feem to gain Ground at alli and
l^nowing thofe were not times to delay, was
^etf rpijngd with a full Rclpl^UPn tg turn Coffi-

ipandci

If'[

of MATTHtw Bishop, ty^

iitttider my felf , and if I had not we (hould jiave
been upon the Breakers in a (hort Time. I pre«
vented it by the Help of God, though I mnft
needs iay the Captain was very condefcending
lo what I propoied. Sir^ I iaia, I beg fir Goi%
Sake you mUgo to the Helm^ and befteady^ other'-
mfe loeJbaU all be loft. The Sea was prodigi-
ous rough, and the Waves broke and aifplayed
themielves over the Veflel that we e]q)eAed
every Moment to be a Wreck — Now the dp-
lain was fo difcreet as to -mind what I faid,
knowing that I was a competent Judge of the
working Part. After the Captain was at the
Helm, I iaid to the Men, Come^ my Boys, we
have one more Stroke for our Lives, therefore
iorii let your Courage fail you, but objerve
•what I fay, and hoifi the Fore-fta^-fiil, We
did it with all the Expedition imaginable, and
I could perceive it would have it's Effed, by
it's leaning to Starboard. Then we heaved the
Lead, and it was five Fathom Water. That
treated a little Hope. Then I faid. Gentlemen^
you have nothing to do but to mind the Leadv
Then we got another Fathom. IJlillwasen^
couraging our Men, by faying this will do, if we
incr-eafe every, Draught, Then we heaved it
again and we were nine Fathom Water, that
animated them all to fuch a Degree, that it was
like fetching the Dead to Life again. The
Captain and the Men congratulated each other
upon their good Fortune, of having fuch a Man
as me on board. When I found we were fafe
from Danger, I went IQ the Captain, and faid.

.:^i

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'I

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fl

■ I'n

J I

%iO Thi hife and Adventures

Sir^ foufeyau have bimjb good as Jubmii to ay
Refofutiou^ it has faved your Souls alive. He iaidy^
Itmn it f torn my Hearty and JJball abvOfs aC'-t
knowki^e it was through you only, I M6y No Sir
J ajk pardon, it was through the Providence of
God that knows all Men* s Hearts -^ far my own
part I am not capable of thinking a gvod^hot^ht,
much more doing a good ASHon, without the fu^
preme Governor of all ^ings, I found that the
Captain was a Stranger to fuch Converiatbn,
therefore I refrained talking any bnger. As
he found we rode £Ue, he gave every Man
a Pint of Rum. There was need enough of it,
for had *we been cailover^board, we could not
have been wetter. Therefore I ^id, Noble Cap^
tain, this is the time for Refrejhmenty after
completing fo great a Work, I little thought
that we Jhould ever have been faved, but now J
am in great Hopes,

After we had regaled ourfelves, with the bed
the Ship would aflbrd, the Day began to break,
and the Clouds difperfed themfelves, fo that we
could diftinguifh our Fleet at a great difbnce,
likewife we began to look about and we faw
the Wrecks of ieveral Tranfpops upon the North
Shore. Thus we found ourfelves in a more
dangerous Situation than we imagined, for there
were nothing but Rocks and Iflands, and I was
furprifed our whole Fleet was not loft. Though
it was more by the Providence of God, than
the good Condud of the Pilots. Seeing feveral in
Diftrefs, we made for them in order to fee if w^
could fave any of their Lives,and when we came

near

^M'ATirHBwB'isHori 251

n^t theiil, we fouAd Ulwy had' gone through ^
a V6r^ difnktl Opeitti6n. But we preferved^
Whom ^ecbuld alivb, though weran great Ha*
zktdi iti^ order ta get to thenK I found the
Content was loft and all her Crew, that Ship I
Was aj^pointed tb go itii There wa» likewife the
S'ff^mit MerchoHt With a great nam Officer! •
on board her, fixteen Women and four or five
Children, and th<ey all (hared the fame Pate, by
the deftniaivc Siia^

A» foon as wer httd done what Service we
could, we made the beft fail we could after the
Fleet $ but found they were not failing from us,
ahd only moved backward and fbrwards tilV
fuch time as they got what they could from
Shore. I muft needs oWn our Fleet in general'
f&ewed a great deal of Htimanity, for they flayed
two or three Days about that Fart, and fent their
Boats fo long, that there was no Appearance
of any living Soul left behind; but a great
many dead Bodies floating about, which was a
very (hocking Sight. Then there was a Con-
fultation held amongft the Officers, and at laft
they were determined to go to fome Bay or
Harbour, where they could ride fafe, for there
Was a great Confternation amongft them, fear-
ing they fhould meet with fuch like E^fafter
again, which would not be altogether agreeable
after fo great a Fatigue. Therefore we made
the beft fail we could to the Spanijh River,
where we anchored, though it was agreed on
by the Officers of the fmall VefTels to proceed
forward up the River, in order that we might

water.

i

i ,,

i

'■1 !l

;^

351 Tii Li/i dhd Adveniurif

water. When we oamc to a Place fitting for
that purpofe, we went on flioie and got fomt
extremely good Water, and when we had got
fofficient Supply of it we got ibme Wood on
board.

The Qiptain loved to empk^ us, if he could
set any thing for his Advantage, for which
he was to be commended. Then I iaid, S$r^
this will compenfate for our pajl Trouble. He
made no Anfwer to that, only he was very de«
firotts of taking me with him, wherever he went.
He told me that he intended to go on board of
a Sloop, and that I fhould go .long with him.
Here, in the way of Difcourie,he told the Captain
of the Sloop, had it not been for me he certain*
ly (hould nave been caft away. The Captain
of the Sloop defired to know by what Means I^
preferved him. Then the Captain deicribed the^
Particulars, and by £0 doing created a great
deal of Pleafure between them. Then I was
called and they defired I would fit down, and
drink a Glais of Wine with them. I thought
that was Ibmething very extraordinary, which
occafioned me to fay. Gentlemen^ is it from n
due Regard^ or for your own Inter eji, that yoH
grant me this Favour, That put them to a
idand, not knowing whom they had to deal
with. But I moderated the Thing, by faying.
If your Goodnefs would be plea fed to bequeath ta
me a Bottle^ that I may drink with my Brother
'Sailors^ :* will be moft agreeable to yoUy and
niore to my SatisfaSiion, With that my Cap*'
fain faid^ If I did mf like yqu for a Qmpanion^

JJhould

->o.

t (houU not have brought ym ahng with mt*
That obliged me to be conformable, .^tuvt ^i^rf*
V After a long Conference the Captain of the
Sloop told me, if I would go along with him
he would make my Wages worth Sx Pounds a
Month. That was Inducement enoueh for a
Man, that had no Thought for any but himfelf^
but all he could fay, could not prevail upon me
to leave my Raiment. I afked 'him, what
Fart of the ff^orlahe was going to fteerfor. He
ikid, to the Weft-Indies. I anfwered, Sir^ was
I a Sailor only, I dorit know what I could furpoje
better, hut as lam engaged in the Land Service,
it will be very imprudent for me to think of any
fuchlhing, ejpecially without the Approbation of
my Officers, Gentlemen, you certainfy take me
fhr a mad Man or a Fool, or you would not ajk
me ar^ Jiich Thin^. No I /hall never decline
c^ngjuflly, for the Lucre of Money, For what
would all the Money in the World have been tO'
this Man, who wasjufl at the Brink of DeftruC"
tion ; and I very believe that he would have given
all that he bad in the World to have brought him
out of that hazardous Situation, I am Jitrprijed
how a Man can be guilty of any Injuflice, when
he is daily liable to Misfortunes, If they have no
Remorfe of Confcience in them they have not my
feeling. Finding how I was difpofcd they dropt
that Subjed. As they were intimate Acquakir
tance, their View was only to induce me ta
go along with him, which I did not approye of»
but grew very impatient before I had the Plea-
fvfit of going back to our own Veflel. Whca I
> . 2 went

■n

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III

'1.

254 72^ Life and Adventures

^ ^cDt on Board of our own Vipiiely I told the
Captain, that be vnuld mt get me nut of it again^
except the Fleet bad a Mind to take me on Board
tbem^ and that I bad no Notion of any Man's
ferfuading me againft my own Inclination. 1 'he
Captain made Anfwer, that be did it purely to
Jerue me, but begged that I would not take any
Notice to any one about it, Na, Sir, I will
give you my fvord upon it^ that I Jhall nevi?r be
guilty, of Infamy of any Kind, uniejs tbere is an
abfolute Neceffityfbrfo doing.

Upon thofe Words we returned to the I^Jeet.

The Admiral thought proper lo call a Council

of War, in which it .was agreed, both by the

Land and Sea Officers, that tke Navigation in

' that Part of the World was very dangerous, and

chat there was no Dependance for a fufficient

^Supply of Provifion from New England, efpeci-

ally at that Time of the Year, and having no

more than ten Weeks Provifion for the Fleet

and Army, it was unanimou^ agreed on, to

return to Old England again, w^ithout making

. any further Attempts : So ended i our Expediti*

I on to Rebeck: Tnough had vf'e not had ex-

t tremely bad Weather, and infup erable Difficul-

I ties attending us daily, there Wias fome Likeli-

1 lood of our accompU(hing oui : Defign. For

^ ve were under the Conduct of fo experienced

< Officers, that it would have bei m tnorally im-

f ofiible for the Enemy to havci prevented the

S uccefs of that Enterprize. Ttierefore I would

n« Dt have the World think thei:c was any Ne-

gl edl of any Kind. So far fron \ that^ it was at-

▼ tend-

it.

^ Matthew Bishop. 255

tended with all the Care imaginable ; nay, alt
the Art of Men could not dtvKe a more pro*
mifins Scheme : For there was not one Officer
bttt what was capable of performing every Thing
he undertook. So their not having Saccefi
ought not in the lead to ftain their cfharafter ;
nor no one in Judice can fay there was any ill
Conduct from our firft fctting out to the Day
we returned from the Spanijh River.

From thence General Hill fent forward Co«
lone] Clayton with an Exprefs to Court, and we
made Sail after him in a (hort Time, and had
an extremely good Paffage to Port/mouthy and
were almoft got to Fqfl Bridge when the Ed-
gar Man of War was blown up, which was a
very unfortunate Thing, after wading through
thofe hazardous Seas that we had juft arrived
from.

So far! have inferted all I know of that Eit-
pedition ; though I was not in the lead reCom*
penfed for the Trouble and Care I had been at.
It was the Captain's voluntary Offer to give me
len Shillings per Week, but I found the Captain
had more Want for Money than mc; therefore^
my Nature would not let me iniift upon hav-
ing my Right, but I relinquiflied it as voluntarily
as he offered it, without importuning once for
it. Only when I took my Leave of the Cap-
tain, I defired he would remember the Rocks ne^
ver to go near them again. He made Anfwer,
I may thank you for your Refolutiony or 1 Jhould
never have been able to have gone there, or any
where elfe. That was fome Kind of Acknow*

ledgment,

I

256 ^^ J^if^ ^^^ Adventures
ledgmeiit, and it pleafed me as well as if he had
given me my I^vidciid ; though three or four
Pounds was Monev to a Man that wanted it.
But if Money could make a Man happy, J had
what I could wifli for. But at that Time I
muft be like the polite Part of the World, or
young Men that give Way to Extravagance %
though now I find the Effc^ of the Gayety of
my Youth.

^ When we left Portftnoutb we march^^d down
for Shrew/bury, the Place appointed for our
Winter Carters. On the Road we were all as
jovial as it was poflible Men could be, and I
was as well attended by all the Tapfters and
Drawers upon the Road, as a private Gentle-
man can poHibly be upon a Journey. I would
have the Reader think that nothing will induce
them to attend but a good Benefadtor, and that
was not wanting wherever I went. I had not
been at Sbrewjbury above a Week, before the
People in general (hewed me as much Reverence
as any Officer belonging to the Regiment ; and
they did not decline their awful Refpedt fo long
as we continued there, which was till Spring.
So I make my Conclufion for this Year, and
will proceed to all I know of the next.

• «■. *

r

f

■ ■i:h^^ -^-[.A) ■ .m

r . - '^

'". : ^^^!\ it -l_ . .mtt:

>XcHAP.

t^is^xV ,,,-A.

>,, ..<- . ^^x^^

■ >t -^^^

of Mattmew^^isho*. 257

'a

Mt

?'? f'^?f7?»'f| 7' d^f

'.^

CHAP. XXVII. ^^m xmf%:

^e jiutbor's Defire to he employed again : H/V
Account of the Behaviour of bis prefent Ma-
jefly in the late War in Flanders : Embarks
for Dunkirk ; Mutiny there: Hbe Author re--
turns to England, and is difcharged*

, f^ \ *T

1 Jf . f

IN 17 12, we left Shrew/bury, and returned
to Portfmoutby where wc flayed fo long, that
I was almofl tired of my Situation, not knowing
how to employ my idle Hours better than to
draw up the Scene of War in my Mind, which
I was daily thinking on, and endeavouring to
draw Advantage from a ferious and attentive
Refledion on my pafl Tranfadtions. Had the
War continued a little longer, this would have
enabled me to have turned out a complete War-
rior, which was all I wi(hed for. For it would
have been a Means to give me an Opportunity
to make up what I found myfelf deficient in^
and it will at this Time animate my Soul if I
may be accepted on to face th& French once more.
I appeal to the World v;hither I ain not wor-
thy of that Honour. Let the profound experi-
enced Man judicioufly make Trial, according to
his Will and Pleafure ; for I am willing to fub-
mit, let it be in the loweil Sphere of all, and
would gladly fpend the refl: of my Fortune to
be of Service to his moft excellent Majefty,
knowing all that a Subjedt is capable of per-
forming is due to him , and I wifh I was

8 able

u .

^j'S ^^ i{/^ ^'^^ Adfventures '

able to find Terms fufHcient to reprefent to
the World in a true Light hk youthful Per-
formance.

For Instance, at tht; Battle of Oudmard^ his
Majefly behaved incomparably well: I remem-
htx him at the Head of a Squadron of his Fa-
ther's ForceSjWhen the French Hdufhold Troops
were bearing down upon him, with fuch Cou-
rage and Conduct, as were furprifing in fo
young a Prince. His Royal Peribn was expofed
to as much Danger as a common Soldier. There
needs no rhetorical Ornament, but an exa£t
Narration of Fa^ to explain his Condu/il:
Therefore I think there is a Duty incumlsent
upon all his Subjeds to do to the utmoft of
their Ability to ferve him; for my Part I ihall
always be ready at the Word of Command ^
but in the mean Time I'll make an End of all
my Performances. i'*

" In the Queen's Reign, when we left Port/-
mouth, we made the beft of our Way to Gra^tf-
endy in order to embark for Dunkirk, I re-
member before our Embarkation, there was a
great deal of Contention amongfi dbofe Regir
ments that went upon the Defcent for Canada
along with us. I was very defirous of knowing
their Grievances, and foon informed myfelf,
that their Difputes arofe from being deprived of
their Pay, during the Time of their Continu-
ance on Ship-Board. But as for our Regiment
it did not difcompofe them, for our Officers pro-
mifcd all the Men in general to pay them at
their Arrival at Dunkirk-, and farther, that it
, . was

of Matthew Bishop. 259

was better for them than being at the Trouble
pf exchanging Englijh Money into French,
That prevented Strife that might have happen-
ed amongd us, and I thought it very prudently
judged of the Officers : For the greateft Part
of the private Men would have expended it in
Luxury, which would have hurt their Confti-
tutions, and emptied their Pockets before a
Time of Need. It is often the Cafe amongft
rilofe mutinous Perfons 5 for there is no Regu-
jarity obferved by them. So far from that, they
will indulge thenifelves with Superfluities one
Day, if they ftarve the reft of the Week ; and
when they have embezzled all, pilfer from the
reft J and the Couieqi^ence of that often is, be-
ing tied up to the Halbert, which is not altoge-
ther agreeable to their Backs ; and yet there are
a great Number who will fuffer that, before
they will be conformable. j*

Then we failed to take Pofleflion of that
large important Place Dunkirk^ and at our
Arrival we failed by the Peer, where the Walls
were adorned with a great Number of People,
who ftiewed us fome Refpedt. Our Forces
landed and lay along the Beech, till fuch Time
as our Officers had drawn for Quarters. When
they had fo done, our Guards went off in or-
der to relieve the French out of the Forts, which
were adorned with French Colours flying. At
our Appearance they ftruck, and EngHJh were
hoifted, and the Regiment that I belonged to
tpok Poffeffion of the Citadel, which was our
appointed Quarters, r>nd we did Duty in it as our
T , S 2 own.

\]

i'\\ I

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III

26o 7T}e Life and Adventures

own. At that Jundure of Time there were
Trench that lay in the Baftion where I did
Duty, in order to guard fome Men of War they
had taken from us^ and feveral other Ships and
Galleys. They all did Duty in due Order, for
1 remember the Slaves were chained in the Gal-
leys every Night. I could perceive there were
fome Marks of Diftindion between them, that
they did not endure the Burthen of Links as the
poor Slaves did, but were light and eafy to their
Legs ; and another Thing I took Notice of, they
had pretty little Huts ereded for them; and
moft of them were very induftrious in felling
one Thing or other by Way of turning the
Peny to a good Ufe. In the firft Place they
would make a Kind of Tea. For my Part, I
ufed often to refort there, and drink it in a
Morning frequently for Breakfaft; and what
Money I could well fpare they partook of; for
I love to encourage Induftry, and there was a
great deal of that amongft thofe poor Souls. My
Heart ached for their Slavery. ->.

When my Lord Bolingbrook came to Dutt"
kirk, he received a favourable Reception from
the Magiftrates. There was a Galley, that lay
in the Bafon, fitted and manned, in order to
divert his Lordfhip ; and the Ships had their
Colours flying J the Artillery fired, and in a
fliort Time the Slaves were commanded to row
the Galley with all her Formalities, and it was
performed in a beautiful Manner. This was
the Method they took in order to divert my
Lord before he returned to England, Some-
- ' , . times

^ Matthew Bishop. 261.

times I was invited on Board the Galley, in or-;
der to drink a Botde of Wine, or Part of a^
Bowl of Punch, and we had a fine Con-
cert of Muiick in the great Cabin. This was
the Manner I fpent my idle Elours, being like
a. Fifti out of Water, without Employment of
fome Kind or other. Tnerefore by Way of
Recreation, I took ieveral of our Men afide, in
order to give them the true Spirit in exercifing.
This was a great Tafk. After I had (hewed
them a Precedent, they could fee their Defici-
encies, and were very defirous of learning. And
before I was tired of that Employment, the
whole Regiment was well verfed in that Art.
In a (hort Time therefore the Officers could
perceive my Dexterity, and I was taken from
doing Duty, being only defired to look over the
Men fometimes, and fee if there was nothing
wanting. I would have the Reader think that
I thought it a great Favour, and it was thought
by feveral that I (hould have been made an Ad-
jutant in a (hort Time, if the War had continu-
ed a little longer. But I was difappointed.

One Thing occafioned a great deal of Con-
tention,though it was intended for our own Good,
After the Duke of Ormonde had difperfed his
whole Army, and feparated the Dutch Troops
from ours, he gave Orders that they might go
to their refpedtive Garifons. When his Grace
had fo done, he returned to Dunkirky and
there were great Rejoicings at his Arrival, v/hich
pleafed him much. Yet there was no Appear-
ance of thofe warlike Deeds in his Face, that
, , S3 there

if

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262 TTje Life and Ad'oenturet

there was in that of the brave Duke of Marlht*
rough. However he was applauded for his Ge-
nerofity in augmenting the Soldiers Pay, He
ordered every Sergeant to have Ten-pence, eve-
ry Corporal Six-pence, and every private Senti-
nel Four-pence per Week Entry ; and his pofi-?
tive Orders were, that it might be paid once in
two Months, in order to buy them Neceflarics
in fuch a Space of Time. This was meant in-
tirely for their Good j but through the Neglcdfe
or Infti' /ion of fome People, it manifeftly ap-
pcajed £0 he Eyes of thofe that would fee, tlitt
the C ofequence would be very bad, if it was
not perfc med according to the Duke's Com^
ihand. For our Soldiers in thofe Days were
Men of Refolution, and never fufFered Impofi*-
tion of any Kind -, but would ftrenuoufly exert
themfelves for their Right. For my Part, I
could not difcommend them for it, but yet I
would not afTociate with them, but endeavour-
ed to reftrain them from the Thoughts of Mu-
tiny or Riots of any Kind. For Example,
when two Months v^ere expired, all the Men
in general importuned for their extraordinary
Allowance, though they did not fucceed in the
firft, nor fccond, nor third Application. They ftill
were kept in Sufpenfe, till '*^hey grew ve' y im-
patient, and thought there was no Likelihood
of ever being paid. Then fome came to advife
with me about it, and others would fay, that
they were determined to get it by fome Means
or other. Therefore faid I, Gentlemen^ let Pa-
fieric^ be your Gw^, arid re^eiv^ m Advice be-

^ Matthew Bishop^ 26^

fore you proceed ar^ further. In the firfi Place^
if our Officers have not HonotA" enough in them
to think it is our juji Due, I think it is bekfm
our Profejion to keep dunning them for it, Jhid
farther^ if they endeavour to decline what Jup^
parts Honour, I would look upon them to be no
better than myfelf though^ at the fame ^ime^ we
are obliged to fubmit to them. This is the Key
that I would recommend to you ^ for your onion Sa-
tisfaSiion and Comfort, In that Manner I con^
v^rfed with them daily; and I believe it had a
little Influence over fome, who hearkened to
my Difcourfe ; but thofe that would not, were
very ftrenuous in their Importunities: For Ire-
member^ on ^Sunday, as I was walking by the
Barracks, I faw a Body of Men affembled to-
gether, and found their Converlation was about
their odd Groats. Therefore I thought it would
b^ prudent in me to go and confult with them.
So I obferved' in this Manner, Gentlemen, have
you no Regard for the Day ? IVhy will you be
the Caufe of Contention? They anfwered me,
T^hey would go and fetch a Regiment out of the
Citadel, in order to join them. I thought it in
vain to contend with Men of fuch Refolutions,
therefore I retired and returned to our Regi-
ment, defiring they would not be concern-
ed in the Affair, except they had a Mind to be
taken up as Mutineers. I prevailed upon fonie,
but it is with Soldiers as it is with every Thing
elfe; there i&no Senate without an Oppofition,
nor no Party of Men without different Opini-
on9« Therefore fome faid they would endea-
-■.• I . 84 vour

36+ The Life and Adventures

vouf to maintain their own Rights, and nothing
(hould obftrudt them. So they went and joined
with the others, and in about an Hour after, there
was a Body of 1600 Men walking along the
Streets, and Before the Governor's Houfe. The
Governor was very defirous of knowing what
it meant. They foon informed him, and he
defired that every Man would go to his refpeo*
tive Quarters, and he would take Care they
ihould be paid. They all retired with a great
deal of Satisfaction, and were paid very (hortly.
At that Junfture of Time there was a great
Pidarbance at Ghent amongft the Soldiers,
which occafioned ibme to fufFer Death. On
hearing that News, I could not contain myielf
any longer without obferving to the firil Officer
I met with, Sir, with Sttbmijfion, what can be
the Meaning that all our Garifom are dijlurhed
in this Manner f It is an Injiance that never
happened during the Time of the Duke of Marl-
borough. But now Strife is come to fuch a Head
that it is intolerable^ and there is no reffting j-
gainji a popular Tumulty without runnif^ into
injuperable Dangers, The Officer replied. There
is no accounting Jor it ; // is unintelligible to me^
why there Jhould he this Contention, Therefore
he left me to think of it as I pleafed]; fo J
could not help making this Refledion, that it
proceeded as much from the ill Conduct of
the Officers, as the Imprudence of the Men.
Likewife I could not help thinking, that we
were very fortunate to have a general Sufpenfi-
Qn of Arips| for had fuch like Difafl^rs h^p-
v?:r fened

^.z

of Matthew Bishop. 265

pened when we were at War, it would have
given the French a brave Opportunity to exert
memfelves, and rendered them capable ^o have
prevented all our Defigns. O the Duke of
Marlborough that gained the Love of all Men,
knew better, than to put it in any one's Power
to upbraid him ; for all his Men in general were
obfequious. Now they are become refractory,
and negledt their Duty. There were two Men
condemned by a Court-Marflial in Dunkirk^
and they both went to the Place of Execution ;
but the Duke of Ormonde^ hearing that one of the
two never heard the Articles of War, and being
a Recruit, acquitted him, and the other was
fhot. So far he (hewed a fmall Glimpfe of Hu-
manity, though not being acquainted with any
more of his Perfedlions while in that Capacity,
I' will leave it to others to explain his Ex-
cellencies, which I am not apprifed of. I
muft needs own after our Men received their
Dividend, and that unlucky Accident was over,
all the Men in general were very affable and
agreeable during the Time of our Continuance
at Dunkirk,

In 17 13 our Regiment was commanded to
England^ therefore I was under fome Appre-
henfions, that it was not an effectual Peace,
which occafioned me to be very unwilling to
leave that Part of the World. But having a
Wife in England it was a great Inducement,
otherwife I fhould have returned to my old
Regiment, having a great Delire to fee every
Thing to an pnd, Yet I was inwardly grieved,

tuiowing

n|

V

.1

r

266 Tie Life and Adventures

knowing that at that Time we might have
clenched a Nail in fuch a manner, that it woukl
have cured the French of ever triumphing over
us^ again. I was like a Fifh that is eager to
catch at the Bait, but finding it of no Subilance
declined it and returned to England^ and! land-
ed at Dover, and flayed till General Evans
came and broke our Regiment^ which induced
me to compofe thefe following Lines,

God and a Sold ier Men alike adore, ; i

When at the Brink of Danger, not before j.
The Danger paft, alike are both requited,
God is forgot, and the brave Soldier flighted.
, Learning and Arts, we find the older grown, .
The more arc reverenced, gain more Renown;
Why then are Soldiers flighted that have gained
Gonqueft in Fields, ani Honours have obtained ?
Becaufe grown old, mud Valour be negledted.
And all paft Services be quite rejected ?
Encouragement makes young, and 'twill appi^ar.
In midftof Dangers we're too old to fear.

CHAP, xxvin.

Hbe Author finds his Wife ; irried to another
Hujband: Her fudden Death and Epitaph :

AFTER our general Difcharge at D^w^r,
I parted with my CompanionB, and
made all the haftc imaginable to a Place called
Harrijbn in Kent, in order to fee my Uncle be-
fore I went to fee my Wife, whom I expeded

to

v—.

^M ATTHBiW BiSHOpr 267

to havs foand in Oxfirdjhire, But I w^s dif**
appointed. As foon as I appeared before my
t^ncle, he laid. Nephew^ I am overj^ed to fie
yoUi but am forry ^mgs are ai they are. In
the firft place ^ I amjhrry ycu have hen f& negli-
gent as to negleB fending to your Wife thffe
three or fmr Tears, 1 am afraid it wilt be an
In/h'ument of one or both yow DefiruBiom, I-
grew very inipatient to know what he meant,
but he kept me in Sufpence for a confideral
Time, though I was continally importu-ning t
know. He fometimes faid he was afraid to
reveal it to me. At riwt Reply, I faid, Dear
3ir^ I hope you will not conceal any thing that
may be defiruSiive to me or my Wife. He made
anfwer, that he did n6t intend to conceal it^^ nei^
ther could he ; but fliduld be glad if he could make
up the Difference that fub/ifled between us. That
put me in fo great an Agony, that I was nois
able to contain myfelf. He perceived htow I
was tormented in my Mind, therefore faid, J
would not have you to grieve nor perplex yourfi^'i
but if you will promfe me to impute it t&your
ownNegle6i,Iwilltellyou, I faid, without ali^
doubt I fhall if it is Jo. Welly faid he, don*f
you remember that you have been ab/ent fr^m
your Wife almoft fix Tears, andjhe has received
but three Letters from you. Now that Nfgle^^
and the Inftigation of fome People has - induced
her to marry another Hujband. It icm entirely
' without my Confenty for I certified to them thaf
you was alive and well But I found nothing
would refirain her Friends from: thinking other-^

wife.

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23 WEST MAIN STREET

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(716)872-4503

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268 *The Life and Adventurer

mffy and they produced tieo Soldiers^ one /aid
that be helped to put you into the Ground^ and the
other flood by. They made Affidavit of this ^ and
that you was buried upon St, Peter'i Hill inQhent.
By that Means they prevailed upon your Dear
Wife to marry a Man, by whom Jhe has conceive
edl O Siry 0 Sir, my Burthen is more than I
can bear : What muft I do to lighten it f Coufin^
replied he, there Jhould nothing but Patience be
admitted, infueh Cafes as thofe. Had floe con^
tinued with your Mother this Thing might not
have happened; her coming to fee her Grandfather
a little before he died, was a defigned Thing, that
be might leave what he had to one who has de~
prived you offome Thoufands-, for he has all the
Gaiety that a young Man can have. He has
kept his Hounds and bis Hunters f nee the old Man
died, which has been the occafon of his expending
fbmeoj the Principal Sir, pardon me, did you
acquaint the old Man that I was alive? Sir, as
I told you before, I was againji it and Sd what
lay in my Power to prevent it's taking EffeSl ; but
they did not regard my Bemonftrances, and ere*
dited the falfe Beport of your Death, and
per0ed it was fo, I could do no more if it
baa been for my vwn Child! Well, Sir, I have
another Favour toajkof you ; had Jhe any Child
by me? He replied, a pretty Boy, but the Child
has been taken of of his Legs thefe twelve Months,
but Jhe is prodigioujly fond of it, and fays that it
is the Pi&ure of his Father, and that Jhe would
endeavour to raife it for his Sake, Sir, faid J,

Unit dunotix Juove which JhoQk^ my Soul, and. J

M

^ Matthew Bish5p;

find that it was through the Infiigation of that
diaboUcal Spirit, that Jhe was induced to marry
this Man. let I own myfelf in a Faulty for
not writing ; but as Jhe knew my Rejblution and
my whole Intention, jhe might have had Patience
and defer' d // //// the War had been otkr. But
yet, I dorit impute it to her own Nature, but the
Nature of that devilijh Spirit who prevailed upon
Eve. It is plain my Wife has condefcendsdto his
Perfuafons, at the fame time infenfible of the
EffeSfs of him. But Sir, I am impatient to fee
her; therefore I beg you will favour me with
your Company, for to Morrow Morning I am de^
termined to go and flaim her as my own, and if
IJhouldmeet with dnyRefiflancefrom the Gent k-
man. Til change my Glove with him, in order to
find out his ^alifictttions-, and I don't doubt but
this fuccefsful Arm will give the fatal Blow.
Dear Coufin, faid he, don't be fo rafh, but do
'Things difcreetly. Confider that fie is big with
Child, and that it will be an ASi of Imprudence
to put her in a Surprife, There have been In»
fiances of Things of that kind being prodigious
hurtful^ ejpecially if fie had a Veneration for
you* Therefore be advifed by me to take this
Method. ' I intend to accompany you to Cha^
^ thamy but I would advife you to feem an intire
' Stranger, and not forward of coming into the
' Houfe, till fuch time as I call you in ; and take

* this Wig and put over your Hair, by way of
^ a Difguife ; and when I am with her I fiiall

* only Sgnify to her that there is a Man at the
' Door, that knew her Huiband full well; and

.'-,'..;■'',. * is

^yo Tie Life dnd Advetiturts

* is^extremely forry to betr of his Death, iind
' ■^flc4f ihe has a Miqd to talk to you about him •

* But wh^ti you enter the Houfe, take-no more
,f ^Oitice thsM^ if you had never feen her. I

* 4on't doubt but what you'll foon find, if ihe
^ has any Idea of your Peribn.* &>, Igre^Hy
qpprme 4if your Method^ and Jhall aiimyi take
all the Hare imaginable to perfeB what yoju ha*oe
pbferveii.

•So 4t was unanimoufly .agreed on to go In the
Morjaiog. But the Reader will fkd, ^ter my
Uncle and I had taken all the Care imaginable
to prevent any Suif)icion pf me, it had but lit-
tle Effedl, for the Moment I entered her Houfe
I €Quldf|)erceive her Ccxintenance change, |md
I had ROC fpeke above three Words, bei}re (he
&id, it is nQ N^Jb/indy and fwopn^d «way.
Kow the pretended Hufband imagined it was
be ihe fpojiepf. Bat he fouiid it^e i^verfe;
for as foon as /he revived a little, ihefl^ewed he
was her utter Averfion j nay flic could not eur
dure hi^ in her Sight. Nor could I endure the
Houfe, or fee what Agonies (he was in, whidx
demonflrated her ^cerity. Now the perfidious
Perfon could not tdl the Meaning of it, till I
came in about an Hour after and revealed it to
him. Upon that, he fell into a vie t Rage,
imd called me a Scoundrel. , That ouiged me
to fpeak. , *§■/>, faid I, If you are a Gentleman
don't behanje with fuch Imprudence ^ confider tny
Wife is big with Child by you^ and I am afraid
Jhe is danger oujly ill He ftill perfifted with -his
Abufes, while I was as cool as a Lamb^ And
r I ~- only

ily

^Matthe>w Bishop, 271

«nly ifiiid. Are ycu not ajhamed qf your Jcurriious
ZumgUi^eto la Man (f my ^rade 5 do you think to
buHy mef No, it is not JV^rds that J mind from
fuch a Man as you. Farther^ I beg you will
ceafe your Noife or I Jhsll infijl upon it. My
Uncle b^ged forOod's Sake he would have
Patience; that my Wife was extremdy ill and
uncapabk of giviag a rational anfwer, therefore
I ient for an Apothecary, and when he came he
told us, thatlhe would< certainly miicarry, and
thatit was ten to one if (he did not lofe her
Li^e. That (hooked my very Soul, fo that I
was not atde to contaia tny&lf. My Uncle
feat &)r:a Midwife, and (he had all the Atten-
jdaaee imaginable, but nothing would do as
the Jtws of Death had taken Hold of her, for
(hecontifiued in that deplorable Condition throe
Days* and then expired. But from the Hour that
it mppened, to half an Hour before (he gave
iip wGhoft, her Senfes were almod: loft. Yet
juft before her Glafs was run, (he faid, my Dear^
forgive me and all is well. Then (he clofed up
her Eyes, and went off like a Lamb.

I ooiftld not hdp bewailing my unhappy Fate,
and wKhifig I had never been born; as I was
the Oocafion of her Death. How can I account
for this, though there was no 111 meant by me ? as
I heartily took the Advice of my Uncle, it can't
be faid, that I was accefTary to her Death.
Therefore I thought it would be prudent to
ohferve to the pretended Hu(band m this man-
lier: Sir, can'tyouperceive^tbatmyDifappoint-
ment is greater than yours-, if you can't, I will
.-y^^m , ^ ■ . explain

^ 72 715^ Life and Achjtlntures

^lainif to you, * I am deprived of all that h

* dear to me in the World, and you are enfy

* difappointed of an Infant, that is concealed

* in her Womb, which I am heartily forry
' (he 4^ not difcharge before Death ieized

* her.' In anfwer to that he replied, Tou
notorious Villian^ what harm has my Offspring
done her. Sir, replied I in plain Terms, //
has been the Occafion of her Death y and I will
fuffer myfelftojhare the fame Fate, before I will

receive any more of your Abufes, With that he
retired like one confuied, without making me
an Anfwer, and I could never get into his Com-
pany to converfe with him after that : There-
fore I was obliged to get my Uncle to concert
with him about his Affairs; but finding every
thing was fettled in fuch a manner, that I could
not partake, unlefs the old Man had been living;,
I told my Uncle, ' I could not endure the Town

* any longer, after my Wife was put into the

* Earth. Befides the People will obferve as I

* walk along the Streets, look do you fee how the

* dead Man walks \ this will add to my Grief,

* and render me uncapable of any Thing, but

* to bemoan my unhappy Fate. Therefore I

* mufl flee elfewhere for Refuge, to my own
' Country where they are ngt acquainted with

* what has befaln me. The Thing repeated,

* flill renews my Pain.' So after her Burial I
Aiade all the Preparations I could in order to go
to the Place of my Nativity, and ever after I
declined mentioning this to any one, till now
that I reveal it to the World. Though I left

.;> I thefb

^.Matthj^iv Bishop. 273

thd^ following Lines behind nae, as an Epitaph.
ihfta I took my little Boy, and made the beft
of mj way to DeddingUn in Oxford/hire^ and
iny Undc parted from me with the Word Adieu.

«:

EPITAPH.

Unhappy Woman by Relations led,
TI^ou innocently didft corrupt my Bed.
Theirs was theCrinie, to them (hall be my Hate,
While I lament with Tears thy wretched Fate.
Thy precious Life did for thy Fault atone,
But leaves in Sorrow me your Lofs to moan.

> When I arrived at the Place of my Nativity,
rae Thoughts of bemg deprived of my Wife, my
intended Comfbrc, rendered me unfit to think
of a Settlement; nay I was uncapable of enjoy-
11^^ one Night's Rei^, and nothmg that could be
popoied could fatisfy me ; but I was daily lament*-
ing my wretched Cafe, blaming myfelf for re«
turning to England, I wifhed there might have
been a perpetual War, to have retained me
from ever feeing the Face of this Ifle again. But
one Day as I was walking in a difconfolate
manner feveral Reflections occurred to me,
which were as follow : * Why (hould I bewail
niyfelf for what I cannot retrieve ; or why fliould
I wKh to be abroad when there is nothing in
A^tatibn, knowing that my Nature is lire*
nuoufly inclined never to be eafy any longer
than I am in Adtion?' This induced m^
$0 cotopoie the following Lines, which were a

T kind

1 f -^

Ay 4 7$e Life and Advefttums

kind of Recreation as well is^' AmililbnieM^
s^nd a Means to drive away the Tbotmn
of my Wife, But I fliall only give flw mrM
an Abftradl of them, hoping it will not difcomw
pofe the Reader.

In the firft place, I will bring down the
imaginary Soldier to the Rank of Indignity^
knowing they are unworthy of what they m»h
gine they are. For Example, Soldiers of[ btfit
ypars have been like unto Children, whom
their Mailers' have prevailed upon to learn the
Horn Book. As the Child imagined when he
had learned the Crifs-Crofs-Row, that he was
a complete Scholar ; fo the Soldier fancies when
he has learnt hi&Exercife, that he is in the Rank
of brave Soldiers, and will fwagger about as
fuch. But to convince them,comparativciy ipeak-
ing, they moft refemblc a Child that has jtfft
learned the Crifs-Crofs-Row, and arenotfen-
lible of their Ignorance till they arrive ta the
Honour of going upon Service, (they fiiewcd
us a Specimen of it, at the Battle of Dtttingen),

But next I (hall fhew the World, as fir a3
my Capacity will allow me, the trae Character
of an honourable Soldier, i knowing their Func-
tion to be worthy of more than I can exprefs.
And I hope it will be of ufe to the Commonalty
of Mankind, more efpecially .at this critkal

Jundture. Firft, God is plcafed to carry the
Jairie of a Soldier, God is a Man of War, faith
Mofc$^ Exodus XV. 3. and the Son of God pro-
feffed himfdf to be a Captain of the Lord's Hoft,
yojbuam, 14, 1*5. Sfecondly, the mort icnown-

•of Matpthew Bishop, 875

«d in Holy Writ, and human Stories, have a»-
Mined to great Fame by their valiant Ads
and Feats of Arms, as we may fee ^i Jojbua^ .
OideM^ Ebud^ Barak, Sampfm, David and his
Warriors. What Speeches are made of the nine
Wordiies, of Jofhua, Hanud^ Judas Maccabaus,
for, cheiv Valoor and Vi(ftory in BaH)e? By
FnOMrtheMemory of 70/rariCp/^r, Alexander
thcGriOty Pyrrbus^ TMmfflocles^ Sciph, Hm-
nibal^ Scanderbeg and Charles the £fch^ remams '
immortal, and innnmerable others both in pro-
jAane and divine Story. Thirdly, whence came
al( theie greatly affedted Tielief. now in the
Worlds Rofe they not from Valour, Prowefs,
mliisry Igmploy mc^ts, and Esfiercife of Arms ?
Wlseiice cameEf^ires but by being AxnA^
gets or Armoc-bearers? Whence came the
Knights of otd, not by fcrapingof Wealth and
buying of Tides, but by being ^Wiers P Whence
came Noblemen, Earls, Du^? Nay the high-
efl! Rankof Dignity, an Emperor; but from
Honour beilow<5d' upon him in the Field by
Reafon he knew how to command *a Hoft of
Men? Fourthly, M/m;;, the wiiefl: of Kings
that ever was^ heki fuch as were Men of War
to be more honourable than to employ them
in &rvile Work. Such as he employed in that ,
Service were Strangers, 2 Cbron, ix. and the
People of Canaan^ the Hittit^:^ AmoriteSy Peri-^
xiteSy Mmtei and Jebufitcsi and farther I fiiall
give the Reader Quotations from the Scripture
Rccords,by way of convincing part of the World
that War upon a juft Caufe is undoubtedly law-

T 2 ' ful.

276 Tie Life and Adventures

ful, though it may be contrary to the OpbloA
of fome ; and I was induced to tranfcribe thcfe
following Lines, knowing that there is nothing
can give a greater Encouraeement in Adion,
than to have Confcience £iti^ned in the Lawful-
Befs thereof. In the firft Place, I hope all the
World may be of this Opinion, that God never
admitted of a Title of a Thing unlawfidly.
Exodus XV. ' Therefore I will fing untothe Lord,
for ^e has triumphed gloriouUy; the Horie
and his Rider hath he thrown into the Sea. The
Lord is my Strength and Song, and he is be-
come my Salvation ; he is my God and I will
prepare him an habitation, my Fathers God
and I will exalt him. The Lord is a Man of
War, the Lord is his Name. Thy right Hand,
O Lord, hath daihed in Pieces the Enemy. .Thou
in thy Mercy haft led forth the People which
thou haft redeemed, thou haft guided them
in thy Strength unto thy Holy Hat»tation. The
People (hall hear and be afraid. Sorrow fhall take
hold on the Inhabitants of Palefiirte. »Thc Duke
of Edom (hall be amazed and mighty Men trem-
ble, the Lord fhall reign for ever, and ever.* Se-
condly, he has given Commands to his People to
fight, he made Laws for Directions to them when
they went to War. Godfent his Spirit upon them,
to encourage them; as in Gideon^ Sampjd?iy &c.
You may read it intheBookof 3^2^^^^, and in
iSam.y, 2,^14. Numbers xxxi, 3. God raifed
tip fome Prophets to comfort and fet forward
his People to war, Mafes fpeaks unto the Peo-
ple, * Arm fome of yourfelves unto the War, and

I let

let them go againift the Midianites and avenge
t1he Lord in Midian* The Children of Ifrael
caiHe to Deborah the Prophetefs for Judgment^,
Aiid (he fent apd called Barack and faid onto
him, < Hath not the Lord God of Ifrael com-
ihanded faying ; go and draw towards Mount
I'aber^ and take with thee ten thoufiind Men/
t Cbnm. XX. 14. ' Then upon Jabaziel came
the Spirit of the Lord in the midft of
the Congregation^ and he faid, Hearken ye all
yudaby and ye Inhabitants of yerufalem^ and
thou King Jebojhapbaty Thus faith the Loid un-
to you, be not afraid nor difmay'd by reafbn
of this great Multitude, for the Battle is not
yours, but God's. Ye fhall not need to fight in,
^is^ttle, fland ye flill and fee the Salvation
6f the Lord with you ; fear not, for the Lord
will be with you.* So far I have given the Reader
a Specimen of the old Teftament. Now I will
proceed forward and explain the Opinion of the
New, where the Reader will fay that it is o-
therwife, for his infinite Majefly is in it but
once or twice called the Lord of Hoft, y antes v.
4. 'more often the God of Peace. It is true
chat all Men fhould feek Peace, and purfue af-
ter it as a Bleflingof God; yet juft and necefla-
ty War is not to be condemned. St. Amhrofe
&ith.it is part of Juftice by War to defend our
Country and Confederates, and fuch as need Aid
from Spoilers and Oppreflbrs, neither doth the
new Teftament difallow of it, Mattb,Ti\\v, * Fbr
Nadons fhall rife againft Nations, and King-
doms againft Kingdoms, and ye fhall hear of
rh - ■ T I War»

378 The Lift and AlvintUfet

Wan and Rumors of Wars, ice that ye he noft
troubled for all theie Things will come to f9&t
So it traniparentl^ af^ars that War was not
difallowed of, foithejuft. OurPrince'ofPeaoe
tdls us of War, Rrv* xix. and is pleafed to be
iet out ' as Captain of an Hoft ridine on Horjl0>*
back, and he was called Faithful and True, mi
in Righteoufhefs he doth judge and make War,
and his Army followed him upon white Horfes
and fubduing his Enemies/ This fhewetb that
his Church (hiU have Wars, and he will take
their Parts. Cornelius was a Captain and 8oldie^i
that feared God and waited pn him, AS* x.
and theLord,in calling f he Gentiles to theGofpel,
made choice tabegin with Calling him. With a
good Confcience then, we may take up Arms
when there is no Safety but mArms. Wemuft
know God taketh notaway^theLawof Naturi^
to defend ourfelves by forcible Means againil Ado-
lent Enemies: God hath now appointed Kings
to ufe the Sword. Bafe People were not worthy
to be Men of War, their Fun^ion was not ho^
nourable enough to be enrolled among the ho*
lidurable Men worthy of the Name of a Soldier
if the worth of a true Soldier were well weighed.
Where God conduds the Generals of an Army
and infpirits the Soldiers, they march with
Glory and carry Terror wherever tjbey go. * WiA
* dom and Strength are his,' 3^0^ xii. 13. *The
Battlt is not always to the Strong, EccL ix. 1 1.
God taught David to play the part of a valiant
Captain and Soldier, «he made his ' Hands tp
war and his Fingers to fight/ and made his

I Arm

.©/'Matthew BisHor. 279

Arm ftrong : Therefore he laid, * Thoo haft gitd^
fld me with thy Strength unto the Battle, and
h^ye fubdued thofe that rofe up azainft me/ for
Vfiikh David rendered Thanks to him, Pjalx^iUm
39. Now I would have the Reader give true At-
tention to what this valiant King iaid, * The Lord
i6 my Fortrefs and Deliverer, my Strength and
Buckler, my high Tower and Salvation, ver. 2,
and fiirther he gratefully acknowledges, that the

treat God was the Catife of all that Courage and
trength that he had, likewife that his ineflima-
bie Goodnefs was the Giver of all Vidtories whidi
attended his Army. David from a Shepherd came
to be a King over J/rael-, Jeptbay though of bafe
Birth, yet by his Valour became a Judge in
Ifrael'y IfocrateSy the yltheniariy who was Lieur
tenant to Artaxerxfs^ was a Cpbler's Sons
Etdmenes, one of jiiexafider's Cw^t^ins^ was a
Carter's Son; Servius TuIIius, who triumphed
three times, was no better than the Son oi a poor
Servant I Dioclefian, though a bloody Perfecutor
of the Chriftians, yet ^.valiant ^kn, obt^'ned thf
Empire by hisProwefs and Valour, and was but a
Scrivener's Son 5 Nicholas Pichinnion^ the great
Conomander of the Armies of the Potentates in .
Italy y was but a Butcher^s Son ; the mod famous
Nation in the World, the Remans, who fub-
dued Kingdoms, never held any Profeflion
worthy of fo great Honour, nor ever rewarded
any fo much, as they did v^iantMen, generpus
Spirits adventuring their Liyes, and obtaining'
tnereby Praife to themfelves and Glory to their
Nation, as theirHiilories do ihew,. and make

-wJE*»^ 'V5-N.

mention

2

ventures

TheLjtjeam

mention of more, than I am able to relate*
Therefore certainly this Calling muft be very'
honourable, which requires fo many Endow-
ments requifite to n>ake a Man deierying to
be admitted into the military Profeffion, ^4
crowning all with true. Religion and Zeal to-'
wards God, with a loyal and faithful HdEirt
to our King and Country. What Profeffionl
procured piore Honour to Nations than Men
of War have done? Greece hy hex Achilles^
EfiruSf that; little Country, by her peer-
IcCBPyrrbus, and that Terror to the Turk^
Scanaerbergy Macedonia by her %vtdX Alexander^
I'roy by her valiant JleSior, Rome by Qe/ar,
Pompej^f ScipiOy and the reft, Lacedamon by
Cimon and Leonidas, Carthage by her Hak^
niialf and others. In a Word, who is more
honourably efteemed in the Hearts of all vir-
tuous Men, than a Soldier, fo he be duly quali-
fied, and do not wrong himfelf by fome bafe
A6tion, which trae Generbiity of Spirit will
utterly dif^ain to do? £i&i/^s Soldiers were Vo-
lunteers at the Sound of a Trampet, jT^^^iiii^
27. fo were the Sons of yeffe, and fuch were
David's Worthies, i Sam. i, 17, Deborah the
Propheteis praifes the Volunteers who came to
help Barak, but complaineth of fuch as followed
their private Bufinefs and neglected the Wars,
and curfed Meroz for not coming to help the
Lord, Judges V, 12, 15, 23, Mbfes was King
in Ifi'aely and commanded to chufe out of every
Tribe one Thoufand, to make an Hoft of twelve
Thoufknd to go againft Midian -, lb did Saul and

David,

c/Matthew Bishop, ,.. 2R1

D(n)id^ I Sam, xxi« 2 6^^.xxil. Without Conv
mand Princes could not have waged Battlers
they then did. Thus a lawfpl Calling niay be s»
well undertaken freely as by Compuliion, and
fince it,i$ fo honourable and lawful withal,
dbere milft needs be a great Delight to be of that
Calling where fo many honourable Princes,
Dukes, Earls, Lords, Knights, Efqrs. and Gen-
tlemen are in Defence of Religion, their King
and Country, and for relieving the oppreffed
andmaintaining their Rights. It is part or Juflice
by War to defend our Country andConfederates,
and fiich as ne^ Aid from Spoilers and Op-
preflors ; not only for Princes to punifh Of-
fenders, but alfo to defend their Subjects fiom
Wrongs at home and abroad. And what hindereth
Princes from recovering what is juftly their own,
if otberwife not to be gotten, by Forceof Arms, *
as all fee the UndertaQngs of War to be lawfiil
and honourable? But it muft alv^ys be under-
ftood whether the Caufe be juft.; for as theCaufe
IS either Good orEvit^fuch may the Ifllie be here-
after expedted to be. Yet true it is that unjuft Wars
may have good Succefs, for the Iniquity of die
People againft whom they are undertaken. A
juflWar is in the Defence of our King,our Coun-
try, our Religion, and Liberty. God alloweth to
go tdr War againft an Enemy coming upon us,
Bjf.xvii. Jud,yh upon this Ground was the
Wars of Jojhua againft the Amalekites, i Sam.xv,
of Gideon againft the Midianites^ and Saul a-
gainft the Philiftines'y of Ahab againft Benhadad,
th^ RQmans ^gm& Hanniial, and our Ancient
V . .it , V* •^- Britaiiis

2^2 The Lifi and !/1cheitiurei

Britaim againi); th« RomofUg Saxons aikl
Danes: Kings may juftly war agatnil liativr.
Rebds^ it is a juft Wir to nelp Friends or Allies
unjuiUy oppreiTed aDd wronged $ u^tm tkit
Ground jArakam armed himfdf againil Ibttr
Kings to recover Lofj whom they had canM-
away, Gefkxk, David reCcuedKeslakftomiikf
Pbiltftims^ t Sam* xxiii. Saul, Jahjh Gikad
from th&jimmonites,ytidas and /S/>fi0/i his Brother
helped the other diftrei]fedy^<zfj. It is a Reproach
to Nations to forfake Friends, Confederates and
fuch as (hould be helped in their Diftrds. God
will allow us and command us in fuch a Cs^f
it is a juft 'War to> bring under fuch Rebels.
Now left Men embroil themfelyes in needleis
ufe of the Sword to their own Deflrudtion, in
ihe next place it is to be confidered by what
Authority this War is to be undertaken, for a
neceiTary and juil War doth not warrant every
one of their own Heads to make War; though
they may be able to gather a Body of People
K^ether.

The firft Mover thereof rtiaft be the Su-
preme Authority of thq Nation^ The Wars that
God allowed, and which he always commands,
were made ever under and by the Authority of
thoie whom he fet over his People, Ex, xvii. 8*
The War againft Amakky Num, xxxi. was con>
manded hyMofes^ fo was that zg^m^ Midian
in like manner j Ifrael war 'd under the Com-
mand of jfojhua^ and after under the yudges^
and then under Kings, as Saul^ David and
the reft. Neither ought Chriftian Suiijedls

to

^Matthew Bishop. 283

to be of a rebellious P-^ 'ciple, to wage W^r
or take up. Arms agai <. meir lawful Sove-
rdgn under Pretence of Religion, as has been
done, and known, but never be it known again,
to take up Arms againft our Sovereign King.
So I eoAclude as a loyal Subjed, begging of
God to preferve his excellent Majefty King
George^ and his liTue for ever*

F 1 N J S.

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IPafe 137. linen. rWSas van Ghent etpiflimalibi..
181. '26. ttmd^'i Hours.
343. 28. irtdiliotkfs I^and*.
244. ,f, l^2^^(tfi^lflud.

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